Turquoise has been treasured for thousands of years for it’s beautiful blue color. Perhaps the oldest example of turquoise jewelry was found on a mummy from ancient Egypt dated at over 7000 years old. Actually, turquoise was being used by several ancient cultures including those of Egypt, Tibet, Persia as well as the Aztecs and Incas of Central America. The American Indians, as early as the 16th Century, were using the gem as a form of money. In today’s world it’s significance in Native American jewelry is of the utmost importance.

Currently, the United States is one of the major sources for turquoise with mines being primarily concentrated in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California. The colors of the stone mined in this country are found in most all shades of blue and green with the best quality being more consistent and deeper blue in color. Today, Indian jewelry makers utilizes turquoise more then any other stone in combination with their sterling silver jewelry. The number of turquoise bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings being produced today is of very high volume and the demand for more and more quality wholesale turquoise jewelry is always increasing.

Learn about other types of gemstones.