| Turquoise is a stone familiar and valued since | | | | twelve gemstones on it, each one engraved with |
| 3000 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and | | | | the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. |
| Pre-Columbian Native Americans used it to make | | | | Some scholars believe that turquoise was one of |
| jewelry, mosaics, and carved it into many | | | | these stones. |
| different shapes. The stone was unknown in | | | | The sacredness of turquoise for Native |
| Europe until the 14th century, when it was | | | | Americans goes back before recorded time. It |
| introduced by Turkish merchants. It is thought | | | | was carved into the shape of birds and animals. |
| that the name of the stone was derived from | | | | Some tribes put these carved items into tombs |
| the French word turc, which means Turk in | | | | to help guard the dead and attract good spirits. |
| English. This lead to the idea that the stone itself | | | | The Shaman used turquoise for healing. Warriors |
| was mined by the Turks in their homeland. This is | | | | attached the stone to the ends of their bows, for |
| not true. The Turks were only merchants that | | | | it was thought to ensure accurate arrow shots. |
| dealt in the stone. | | | | Although robin egg blue is the most familiar and |
| Rich deposits of turquoise mined in ancient times | | | | most highly valued color for the stone, it can be |
| were located in Persia (modern day Iran), and | | | | sky blue, various shades of blue-green, to |
| some of the highest quality turquoise is still being | | | | greenish gray. It is not always a solid color, and |
| mined there today. The stone is also found in | | | | can have gradations of color within individual |
| Northern Africa, Australia, Siberia, and the | | | | stones. Some stones have veins of other material |
| American South West. | | | | running through them. |
| The Sacred Stone | | | | A very high quality turquoise can be expensive, |
| Turquoise has been a sacred stone for many | | | | but there are many beautiful stones available at a |
| cultures. The Aztecs combined it with gold in | | | | reasonable price. While this stone has been used |
| ceremonial items. Some cultures believed that if a | | | | and appreciated by royalty and the rich through |
| horse rider wore the stone it would protect them | | | | the ages, it has also been available and |
| from falling off. It is a stone credited with bringing | | | | appreciated by people in more common |
| happiness and protection from accidents of all | | | | circumstances. And it remains the same to this |
| kinds, and with many other attributes. The stone | | | | day. A stone for all who appreciate its beauty, |
| is also thought to be one of the stones that | | | | and its afford-ability. It is indeed The People's |
| make up the breastplate worn by Aaron in the | | | | Stone. |
| book of Exodus of the bible. This breastplate had | | | | |