My birthday is Thursday and I received a very special gift this afternoon. A close friend and mentor gave me an antique Native American turquoise ring. Most turquoise rings I have collected over the years were made in the traditional Zuni pettipoint style (with narrow stones set side by side) or inlaid with crushed turquoise and coral. This ring, however, is very unique. It has a large bezel-set rectangular cabochon in creamy shades of green and blue with cocoa matrix in the corners. The Native American stamping in the silver surrounding the stone is somewhat faded due to age, but I think it makes the piece even more beautiful.
I use a variety of turquoise in my jewelry and wear the material year-round, despite the conservative notion that it is a “summer hue.” I love the amazing spectrum of colors, natural “inclusions” or matrix, and endless shapes available. I often combine my jewelry with antique Native American pieces. Native Americans consider turquoise a “sacred” stone, as the shades of blue lend it to connections with the sky and bodies of water. The Navajo actually associate blue turquoise with males and green turquoise with females.
There is plenty of turquoise jewelry on my website. This exceptional stone is one I will always value in my collection!
Peace, Elisa