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Turquoise

French for "Turkish", turquoise got it's name because the trade route that brought it to Europe from Persia passed through Turkey.  The Europeans erroneously believed that it came from Turkey.  Turquoise is sometimes called turkey stone or horseman's talisman (turquoise is often used as a decoration on horse bridals and saddles).

Turquoise has a very long history, it was among the first gems ever used for jewelry. Jewelry made from turquoise was found in Egypt with a 7,500 year-old mummy. Beads from Mesopotamia date back to 5,000 BC.  The deposits in the Sinai were already worked out by 4,000 B.C.

Lore

Turquoise has been used as a sacred stone down through the ages. The Persians thought it symbolized purity. American Indians believed it was the protector of the soul.  Pueblos Indians considered it to be one of the four elemental stones, they are known to have laid turquoise under the floors of their homes as an offering to the gods.  Apache medicine men were known to carry a piece of turquoise in their medicine bags.  Mining for turquoise in the Western hemisphere started at least 1,000 years ago.

Thought to bring good luck,  turquoise is often found as decorations on Tibetan prayer wheels.  "Like all blue stones, the turquoise is lucky and is carried to attract good fortune."¹

"The women of Tibet are said to prize most highly as amulets pieces of cloth adorned with turquoise or coral, which they have acquired from the Lamas, who by the imposition of their priestly blessing have endowed these objects with a peculiar sanctity in the eyes of the Tibetan devotees.  Another amulet favored in this far-off land is a small metal box of gold, silver, or copper, and encrusted with turquoise.  Within are enclosed little scrolls inscribed with mystic characters to conjure evil spirits and thwart their malevolent schemes for the tribulation of mankind." ²

Turquoise rings have been worn in the past to guard against all manner of things; violence, accident, falls, disease, and headache to list a few.  Turquoise is thought to protect the holder from the evil eye.

"Turquoise is an ancient treatment for melancholy, and is also said to 'keep away wild beasts.'  The Navajo are one of the few Native American societies that consider werewolves evil, and they use turquoise extensively." ³

"No horseman wearing this gem could be thrown by his horse, neither could his horse be overtired whilst his rider used the charm." ⁴

Turquoise is one of the birthstones for December.

1)  Scott Cunningham  "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic"  pg 173

2)  George Frederick Kunz "The Magic of Jewels and Charms" pg. 344

3)  Rosalyn Greene  "The Magic of Shapeshifting"  pg 215

4)  M. Oldfield Howey  "The Horse in Magic and Myth"  pg 154

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