Vintage Raw Turquoise Beaded Necklace

Unusual turquoise necklace featuring raw turquoise chunks as charms on a fine silver chain necklace 16". Each nugget measures about 1/2". A very nice look !

Turquoise is one of the first gems to be used in jewelry as far back as 5000 B.C.  Found in China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Mexico and the Mid-East as well as Arizona and New Mexico,turquoise is a soft blue unless iron is present to make it more green. It sometimes has a rock matrix or inclusions of black, brown or gray. It was and is popular with many cultures including the American Indian. The name comes from a French word meaning "Turkish" probably because most of the stones came to Europe through Turkey and Persia. Turquoise is surrounded by legends and beliefs. Oriental cultures believe turquoise wards off evil. Aztecs called turquoise "stone of the gods".  Germans believed it a love token. North American Indians used turquoise as a monetary exchange as well as for ornamentation and ceremonies. They believed it represented the sea and sky. A 15th century legend was that the stone would lose its color when the owner is unwell or in danger and then regain the color when the danger has passed. True turquoise should be cleaned only with warm soapy water, never chemical cleaners or use "Wadding polish" to polish your jewelry including the turquoise. It is also effective on coral and jade.                      

                         

TO ORDER THIS ITEM JUST CLICK THE BLUE SHOPPING CART BUTTON TO THE LEFT OF THE PHOTO !