Turquoise in Southwestern Native American Jewelry

The word turquoise is derived from a French word that means Turkish. Turquoise originally came from Europe was and imported into Turkey. This beautiful gem of green and blue is technically known as a hydrated phosphate of aluminum and copper mixed with calcium, iron and silica. The amount of copper content determines the green and blue colors of turquoise. When there is more iron, turquoise is green. When there is more copper turquoise is blue.  Turquoise can also be found in mines in colors such as white and dark blue. Some people call turquoise a mineral that is a fluke of nature.  Many events have to happen to create one small piece of turquoise.  Many incalculable number of physical and chemical processes need to happen in the right environment at the right time for possibly millions of years.  Turquoise is usually found in high elevations amongst copper deposits in the southwest region of the United States. 

Symbolism of Turquoise in Native American Southwestern Indian Culture and History

Turquoise has many different meanings to the Native American Indians of the southwest.. Most often turquoise is associated with the sky.  The Tewa Native American Indians call it the Turquoise Mother or Turquoise Woman.  To the Zuni Native American Indian tribe turquoise is associated to a male such as the Turquoise Boy.  Turquoise has an association with directions and can be used as a symbol of wealth or can be used for trade. It can also be used as a gift between spiritual beings and humans as well as a gift from one human to another. The Zuni Native American Indians, Hopi Native American Indians, Tewa Indians, and  Kresan people associate it with the direction of north.  The Tiwa , Picunis, Isleta, and Sandia relate it to the south.   Most importantly, all of the Pueblo people feel that Turquoise has the power to make something seem more desirable or beautiful to people in this world as well as another world.