Turquoise Gemstone: The Ultimate Anti-Depressant

Precious and semi-precious stones are as beautiful as they are good for your well-being. Since antiquity, turquoise has adorned the jewelry of pharaohs, the masks of Aztec gods and the amulets of Native American warriors.

It is now your turn to discover this gem of protection and communication, and what it has to offer.

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Where does turquoise come from?

The Egyptians were already mining it in the Sinai more than five thousand years ago. At Serabit el-Khadim, they placed it under the protection of Hathor, “Lady of Turquoise,” and a small sphinx bearing an inscription “to Baalat” was found there. In Persia it was called pirouzeh, “the victorious.”

The finest stones still come from Iran, near Nishapur. Other deposits are found in Afghanistan, China, Mexico and the United States, notably in the Southwest. Its name dates from the time Venetian merchants introduced it to Europe: buying it in Turkish markets, people thought it came from Turkey, and it became the “Turkish stone,” turquoise.

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History of turquoise: a stone for every use

In 1900, archaeologist Flinders Petrie found in the tomb of King Djer, of Egypt’s First Dynasty (around 3000 BC), a mummified arm adorned with gold and turquoise bracelets. The Aztecs held it sacred: it covered the masks and mosaics offered to their gods.

In North America, Native peoples believed it had fallen from the sky: it protected and guided warriors and hunters. In medieval Europe, it was said to keep riders from falling off their horses; today, many drivers still carry it as a talisman.

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Virtues of turquoise: protection and communication

Crystal healing is a natural way to take care of yourself with stones. Revered by Native Americans, turquoise is known to turn negative waves into positive energy. It opens the throat chakra, the chakra of communication, and protects from many dangers: it was even said to change color to warn its wearer.

Unusual facts about turquoise

Turquoise is the birthstone of December. In Mexico, it often leans toward yellow-green or even warm brown. And the dark veins that run through it, called “matrix,” are the remains of the rock in which it formed.

⚠️ The virtues attributed to stones come from traditions and beliefs. They are not a treatment and do not replace medical advice.

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How to purify and recharge a turquoise stone

• Purify it on a bed of coarse salt for several hours, or briefly in non-calcareous water.
• Recharge it in natural light, preferring moonlight to sunlight.
• Protect it from humidity and heat, which can turn it green or dull its color: it is fragile and delicate.

Now that you know more about this stone of optimism, discover amazonite, its aqua cousin, and ametrine.

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