Discover the Allure: Top 11 Amazing Fun Facts About Turquoise You Never Knew!

1. Turquoise's Vacation Cravings

Turquoise, the mineral with a taste for vacations and an appetite for copper: it forms when copper-rich water takes a leisurely trip through the rocky walls of arid landscapes, making pit stops in diverse destinations such as Mexico, Chile, Egypt, and the southwestern US.
Source => turquoiseguide.com

2. Cleopatra's Blue-Green BFF

Before Cleopatra rocked the world with her smokey eye: turquoise was not only Egyptian couture's favorite blue-green eyeshadow, but also the highlight of their luxe jewelry and ornate relics. This dazzling mineral was a must-have item, adorning tombs and glittering in burial sites since the early dynastic era around 3100 BC.
Source => cnn.com

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=> Fun Facts about Jewelry

3. Turquoise's Celestial Charm

Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend clearly never met turquoise's protective powers and charm: This vibrant gemstone has been revered by numerous cultures, notably the Navajo and Zuni tribes, for its spiritual significance in connecting them to celestial and earthly elements, while also believed to ward off evil and misfortune.
Source => tskies.com

4. A French Misnomer with Turkish Flair

Hold onto your (Egyptian) pharaoh hats, folks: turquoise has been giving the blues a good name since 3000 BCE, with ancient Egyptians rocking that teal bling, and guess what? The gemstone is known to be quite moody, changing its hue based on the lighting or even its owner's skincare regimen! But blue-noses be warned: the name "turquoise" isn't French for "Turkish", but rather for "Turkish stone," owing to the fact that it was first introduced to Europe via fancy-pants Turkish traders from mines in Iran and Afghanistan. Go figure, huh?
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Dancing for Rainfall and Life

When Pueblo dancers take the stage, it's not just talent that keeps them from raining on their parade, but a little "teal insurance" too: Turquoise, traditionally worn during the summer growing season, is believed to ensure rainfall and sustain life in Native American culture, showcasing the stone’s deep-rooted connection with water and its life-giving properties.
Source => indianartsandculture.org

6. Turquoise: Warriors' Gemstone Insurance

Forget about fairy godmothers and lucky charms – even ancient warriors knew that they didn't need to wish upon a star for protection, they just had to rock some turquoise: This vibrant gemstone was believed to possess mystical powers, often embellishing shields, weapons, and horse bridles to safeguard fighters in battle and grant the wearer the allure of immortality.
Source => americangemsociety.org

7. High-Stakes Turquoise vs. Gold Debates

Ready for a blast from the stylish past that'll leave you green with envy? Brace yourself for some serious gemstone gossip: Turquoise was more prized than gold in ancient Egypt, showing up in jewelry and amulets, and the stone's distinct blue-green hue has long been believed to have healing properties and spiritual significance, especially among Native American tribes in the American Southwest.
Source => science.howstuffworks.com

8. Southwest's Lucky Charm

Who needs a lucky rabbit's foot when you can have the whole Southwest in your pocket? Say hello to turquoise, the gem that keeps on giving: Native American tribes, like the Navajo and Zuni, hold this vibrant stone in high regard, with the former believing it brings protection and fortune, and the latter associating it with beauty and wealth. Yet, contrary to popular myth, not even its magical powers are strong enough to ward off fearsome creatures like scorpions.
Source => tetonartgallery.com

9. Turquoise: Weapon of (Fashionable) Choice

Donning some turquoise bling might just give you an edge in battle or turn you into an eagle-eyed sharpshooter, or so some ancient civilizations might have you believe: Both the Persians and Apache Indians were known to attach turquoise to their weapons, with the former hoping for victory in battle and the latter seeking improved accuracy for their hunts, while pre-Columbian Native Americans also employed that fetching sky-blue gemstone in their sacred ceremonies to establish a bond with the heavens above.
Source => americangemsociety.org

10. Aztecs' Turquoise Fashionista Serpent

Who let the snakes out? The Aztecs did, and their stylish serpent, Xiuhcoatl, was s-s-simply smashing in turquoise: This flashy mythological creature symbolized the dry season, played a role in the Aztec emperor's royal diadem, and even had paper party streamers wrapped around its body to be the life of the bloodletting and sacrificial festivities.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Blue Man Group's Mesoamerican Ancestors

Who would have thought that the Aztecs and the Maya were the original 'blue man group'? Turquoise got them all fired up, literally: This stunning gemstone was used not only for adornment, but also to honor the fierce fire god Xiuhtecuhtli in elaborate rituals, draping the upper crust of society in a vibrant shade of blue as they traded precious stones along the 'Turquoise Road' in ancient Mesoamerica.
Source => worldhistory.org