Turquoise: The Gem Of The Centuries

By Oscar T Branson
Treasure Chest Publications, Inc
1975

Oscar T Branson writes:

There is a haunting fascination to turquoise, a feeling that takes hold of a person who comes in contact with it for a time. This fascination has been the same down through the centuries and its popularity has spread through many countries of the world. The Egyptians some 70 centuries ago were captivated by it. The evidence is a bracelet of carved turquoise and gold found on the mummified arm of an Egyptian queen. This is the oldest known example of jewelry and was made over seven thousand years ago. For the next several thousand years the Pharaohs sent expeditions of hundreds of men into the Sinai Desert to mine this coveted stone. It was used in almost every decorative way imaginable from beads in jewelry to the lavish decoration of sarcophagi. The Egyptian tombs with their hoards of gold were too great a temptation to looters and thieves and consequently there is pitifully little left for us to see.

In Persia the earliest mention of turquoise is in a story about the mine of Isaac, the father of Israel, who lived about 2100 B.C. Turquoise has been mined in Persia since before that time. It was used as lavishly in Persia as it was in Egypt. Persian writings tell of large vases carved from huge pieces of turquoise. One of the largest had the capacity of six gallons.

The origin of the use of turquoise in Tibet is thought to be very early as the Tibetan word for it is original and not borrowed from another language, as it has been in most languages. Practically everyone in Tibet has a love for turquoise; in fact this fascination almost amounts to a mania.

In China turquoise was used in very early times and much has always been worn in jewelry. Large quantities were made into beads and traded into Mongolia, Tibet and other countries. This is also done today. Due to the occurrence in China of large pieces of turquoise of carving quality, the stone gained an ornamental status. Many carvings of large size are known and some are still being made. The Chinese are greatly fascinated by turquoise, and to them it is second only to jade.

In our own Southwest, turquoise mines were worked by Indians before the time of Christ. In fact many of the mines that are producing today were worked in prehistoric times. Here in America today thousands of people are becoming aware of it and the old fascination is taking hold. Down through the ages and especially now, fine gems and jewelry have been a commodity more stable than money. In other words it is and always has been a good investment. Turquoise and silver jewelry is a pleasure to wear and enjoy. While one is enjoying it, they are aware that is something of value, both intrinsic and esthetic.

Some people think turquoise is a fad. If this is so, it has been a fad for over 7000 years.