Turquoise History and Symbolism

Ancient Times

Turquoise is one of the earliest mined gemstones, with its origins dating back over 7,000 years.

In ancient Egypt, turquoise was highly prized, adorning the pharaohs' jewelry and funerary objects, most notably the mask of Tutankhamun.

The Persians also cherished turquoise, associating it with protection and good fortune and using it extensively in architecture and ceremonial objects.

Its azure hue was associated with divinity and immortality, making it a powerful symbol in both cultures.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, turquoise spread throughout Europe via trade routes and became a talisman believed to ward off harm and bad luck.

In Persia, artisans perfected the art of applying turquoise to mosaics and religious architecture, further cementing its sacred status.

Islamic culture also revered it as a symbol of heaven, often inlaying it into domes and palaces to embody the sacred connection between the sky and spirituality.

Native Americans

For many Native American tribes, turquoise holds deep spiritual significance and is often considered a gift from heaven. Used in amulets, jewelry, and ceremonial objects, it symbolizes healing, protection, and a connection to the earth and the universe.

The Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni peoples incorporated turquoise into their artistic traditions, believing it to bring rain, fertility, and harmony.

Turquoise remains a persistent cultural expression in Southwestern jewelry designs.

Symbolism

Turquoise has long symbolized protection, healing, and spiritual balance. It is believed to absorb negative energy, bring strength to the wearer, and act as a guardian of both body and mind.

Across civilizations, its azure and green hues have symbolized life, renewal, and the connection between heaven and earth.

Today, it remains a symbol of timeless beauty, cultural heritage, and spiritual foundation, bridging ancient traditions with modern decor.

Where are Turquoise found?

Turquoise has been unearthed in some of the world's oldest and most legendary mining areas.

In Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, mines dating back to 3000 BC supplied turquoise to the ancient pharaohs, making it one of the earliest known sources.

Persia, particularly Iran, has also been renowned for its high-quality turquoise for thousands of years. Its rich, sky-blue gems have become a symbol of beauty and purity in the gem world.

In the United States, turquoise is particularly abundant in the Southwest. Arizona is home to world-renowned mining areas such as the Sleeping Beauty Mine and the Kingman Mine, renowned for their vibrant blue gems, which contain virtually no matrix.

Turquoise from Nevada comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, often characterized by a distinctive spiderweb-like matrix.

New Mexico historically was one of the earliest sites for turquoise mining in North America, and the local Native Americans incorporated turquoise into jewelry and ceremonial traditions.

Other important deposits are located in Mexico and China.

China has a long history of turquoise mining, and production has expanded in recent decades, making it one of the world's leading suppliers.

Tibetan turquoise is also highly prized, often exhibiting a deep green-blue hue and considered to possess powerful spiritual powers in local culture.

Other deposits exist in countries such as Chile, Afghanistan, and Australia, each contributing to the diversity of turquoise's color, matrix, and cultural significance.

What color is Turquoise?

Turquoise, a color that lies between blue and green, is often described as a refreshing fusion of the two. In reality, turquoise can exhibit a wide range of subtle shades, from light and translucent to deep and rich.

Its hues range from bright, vibrant blue-green to softer, more muted tones, some closer to sky blue and others with a hint of sea green.

For centuries, turquoise has been revered for its striking yet calming hue, believed to evoke feelings of tranquility, balance, and vitality, much like the clear waters of a tropical ocean.

Types of Turquoise 

Carico Lake Turquoise

Carico Lake Turquoise is best known for its refreshing green color, often apple or lime green, sometimes with a bluish-green hue.

This vibrant and unique color is primarily due to the high zinc content in the ore.

Some stones also feature black spiderweb patterns, adding to the vibrant color. 

Due to its extremely low production, pure apple green varieties, in particular, are extremely rare and valuable.

Kingman Turquoise

Kingman Turquoise exhibits a wide range of color variations, from pale blue to a deep sky blue.

Common matrix colors include white, brown, or black, creating a striking contrast.

It is one of the most classic and oldest American turquoises, with a hard and stable texture, often considered the industry standard.

Morenci Turquoise

Morenci Turquoise is characterized by a deep blue hue, often interspersed with silvery pyrite and quartz flecks, which give it a unique metallic shimmer when exposed to light.

The color can sometimes approach a lapis lazuli-like blue, and the stone is relatively hard.

Because the mines have long been closed, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is now increasingly rare on the market and highly valued.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is best known for its pure, unadulterated sky blue, often hued in eggshell or sky blue, with virtually no matrix veining.

This stone's clean appearance makes it particularly desirable, conveying an elegant and simple aesthetic.

With the closure of the mines, its availability is dwindling, driving its value ever higher.

Royston Turquoise

Royston Turquoise offers a wide range of colors, from light blue to dark blue, often with turquoise hues.

Its matrix is mostly brown or tan, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant blue-green.

With its hard texture and rich color gradations, it is often considered one of the most artistic and visually striking turquoises.

Number Eight Turquoise

Number Eight Turquoise is best known for its beautiful spiderweb pattern, which can range from light blue to greenish-blue to deep blue.

The matrix is often brown, black, or reddish-brown, creating a fine, grid-like pattern against the vibrant blue.

This type of turquoise was once plentiful, but production is now discontinued, leaving limited supplies on the market.

Bisbee Turquoise

Bisbee Turquoise boasts an intense color, ranging from deep blue to a greenish blue.

Its most distinctive feature is the deep reddish-brown or black matrix, which often contrasts sharply with the intense blue.

It is hard and polished to an exceptional luster. 

Due to its short mining history and limited availability, it has become a highly sought-after collectible.

 

 

 

 

Tanzanite History and Symbolism

Discovery

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Initially mistaken for a sapphire, it was quickly identified as a new variety of zoisite.

Recognizing its rarity, Tiffany & Co. introduced it to the international market, naming it "tanzanite" after its country of origin.

Due to its vibrant blue-purple color and its uniqueness as being found only in a small area of the world, tanzanite's popularity quickly grew.

Folk Beliefs

Although a relatively new gemstone, tanzanite quickly amassed a rich folklore, particularly among the local Maasai people.

The Maasai regard it as a symbol of new beginnings and often give it to mothers after childbirth to pray for health and prosperity.

Some traditional cultures consider tanzanite a spiritual stone, associated with intuition, transformation, and higher consciousness.

Symbolism

Tanzanite is often associated with transformation, inner truth, and spiritual awakening.

Its deep blue hue symbolizes calmness, wisdom, and dignity, while purple is associated with creativity and mysticism.

In modern crystal healing, Tanzanite is believed to stimulate the heart and mind, making it a stone of balance, self-discovery, and enlightenment.

Where are Tanzanite found?

Tanzanite, mined only in a small area in northern Tanzania, is one of the rarest gemstones in the world.

The deposit is located in Mount Merelani, near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the mining area is only approximately seven kilometers long and two kilometers wide.

It is this narrow geographical distribution that gives tanzanite its rarity and high value in the global gem market.

Millions of years ago, geological tectonic and volcanic activity created the region's unique geological conditions, allowing zoisite to form its distinctive bluish-purple tanzanite variety.

Nowhere else on Earth can such perfect geological conditions be replicated, and therefore all genuine tanzanite comes from this single deposit in Tanzania.

Because tanzanite's supply is confined to such a limited source, experts often refer to it as a "generational gem," meaning that once the deposit is depleted, no new natural sources of tanzanite will be found anywhere in the world.

This uniqueness not only adds to its allure but also strengthens its symbolic association with rarity and exclusivity.

What color is Tanzanite?

Tanzanite is prized for its vibrant color, which ranges from vivid blue to rich violet to deep purple.

This remarkable pleochroism means that tanzanite appears different colors depending on the angle it is viewed from, often appearing blue in one direction and violet in another.

The depth of color depends largely on the gem's cut and orientation.

The most valuable tanzanites are those with deep, saturated blue or bluish-violet hues, often comparable to the finest sapphires.

Also, tanzanite is found in lavender, lavender, or pale blue hues, and while these are generally considered less valuable, they are still very beautiful.

Because most rough crystals tend to naturally exhibit a more brownish hue, they are often heat-treated to enhance or stabilize the blue and violet tones.

Types of Tanzanite 

Blue Tanzanite

Blue tanzanite is the most sought-after variety, often compared to the finest sapphires.

Its hue ranges from sky blue to deep royal blue, with the darker, more saturated shades being the most prized.

The depth of the blue depends largely on the gem's cut and setting orientation. High-quality blue tanzanite is extremely rare, making it highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

Purple Tanzanite

Purple tanzanite ranges in hue from soft lavender to rich purple.

While not as valuable as deep blue gems, purple tanzanites possess a unique allure and are prized for their romantic and mysterious allure.

Their soft hue also makes them versatile in jewelry design, especially for those seeking a sophisticated look.

Blue-violet Tanzanite

Blue-violet tanzanite possesses characteristics of both blue and purple, and its color shifts with light and viewing angle.

This pleochroism makes it vibrant and dazzling.

These mixed-hue gemstones often attract buyers who appreciate tanzanite's unique colors, rather than a single dominant hue.

Colored Tanzanite

Colored tanzanite often exhibits unusual hues, such as pink, green, or even pale yellow. These hues are often caused by unique trace elements or heat treatment.

These colors are extremely rare and unconventional, but are gaining popularity with designers seeking unique alternatives to classic blue or purple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zircon History and Symbolism

Ancient Times

Zircon has been treasured since ancient times, with some of its oldest crystals dating back billions of years, making it not only a gemstone but also one of Earth's oldest minerals.

In ancient Hindu texts, zircon—particularly hyacinth-colored zircon—is described as a stone symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment, believed to connect the wearer to the wisdom of the universe.

It is also associated with protection, and amulets made of zircon are believed to protect travelers from harm and ward off evil spirits.

Middle Ages

In medieval Europe, zircon gained popularity as a mystical gem associated with sleep, peace, and prosperity.

It was believed to prevent nightmares, promote restful sleep, and bring honor to the wearer.

Scholars and healers also attributed its powers to enhancing intelligence and reducing temptation, giving it a moral and spiritual role in medieval society.

Symbolism

For centuries, zircon has been associated with clarity of thought and emotional balance.

Zircon's brilliance and fire are often mistaken for diamonds, earning it a reputation as a gem symbolizing truth and light. Today, zircon is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its symbolism of grounding, confidence, and harmony.

It is still considered a gem that balances spiritual energy with practical wisdom, bridging ancient legends with modern aesthetics.

Where are Zircon found?

Zircon is found worldwide, typically in igneous and metamorphic rocks, as well as in alluvial deposits, where zircon accumulates after weathering from its original deposits.

Some of the oldest known zircons are over four billion years old, particularly in the Jack Hills region, making Australia one of the world's most important zircon sources.

Australia, the world's largest zircon producer today, has major deposits in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, where zircon is mined and produced as gem-quality crystals and as zircon sand for industrial use.

Sri Lanka is another prominent zircon producer, renowned for its gem-quality zircon in a variety of colors, especially the highly valued blue zircon, which is often heat-treated.

Cambodia and Myanmar are also renowned for their gem-quality zircon, with zircon from Cambodia's Ratanakiri Province exhibiting vibrant blue, green, and yellow hues.

These regions are crucial to the Southeast Asian gem trade, supplying zircon prized for its brilliance and fire.

In Africa, Madagascar and Tanzania are important sources of zircon, producing a wide variety of colors, as are deposits in Nigeria and Mozambique.

While smaller quantities of gem-quality zircon can be found in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe, their commercial value is lower compared to that of Australia and Southeast Asia.

What color is Zircon?

Zircon comes in a wide variety of colors, ranging from colorless to vibrant blues, greens, yellows, oranges, browns, and reds.

The most popular and valuable is blue zircon, often heat-treated to achieve a vibrant luster and intense fire.

Natural zircon can also exhibit warm earthy tones such as honey, gold, and cinnamon, as well as striking greens and rare reds.

Colorless zircon, historically considered a diamond alternative due to its exceptional brilliance and high dispersion, has declined in popularity as colored varieties have gained attention.

Types of Zircon 

Blue Zircon

Blue zircon is the most famous and highly valued variety, typically obtained by heat-treating brown or red gemstones.

Its vibrant, brilliant to soft blue hue makes it a popular choice for fine jewelry.

Famous for its brilliant brilliance and fire, blue zircon has historically been confused with other gemstones, but its dazzling brilliance and deep color remain unique today.

Colorless Zircon

Colorless zircon, sometimes called "Matura diamond," has been considered a diamond alternative for centuries.

Its exceptional brilliance and dispersion even surpass diamond, although it is softer and more easily scratched.

While less popular today, it remains invaluable to collectors and those who appreciate its brilliant clarity.

Yellow to Gold Zircon

Yellow and gold zircon are among the oldest known varieties and typically exhibit warm, shimmering hues reminiscent of honey or champagne.

These naturally occurring colors enhance the gem's fiery brilliance, making it ideal for antique-inspired jewelry.

Their radiance conveys a classic elegance, tied to zircon's rich history as one of Earth's oldest minerals.

Brown Zircon

Brown zircon is abundant and generally less expensive, but it's often the source of heat-treated blue gemstones.

In its natural form, brown zircon can exhibit earthy hues that appeal to those who appreciate an organic, rustic aesthetic.

While less popular than other gemstones, brown zircon plays an important role in the gem trade.

Green Zircon

Green zircon is rare and highly prized, with hues ranging from soft sage to rich forest green.

Due to its rarity, it's particularly valuable to collectors and connoisseurs.

Unlike the more common blue varieties, green zircon is often untreated, reflecting the unique geological conditions of its formation.

Red Zircon

Red zircon is one of the rarest and most sought-after gemstones, ranging in color from pink to deep red.

Its rich luster and brilliant sparkle make it a coveted gemstone, although large sizes are uncommon.

Because of its rarity, red zircon is often used in high-end jewelry and collectibles.

 

 

 

 

Lapis Lazuli History and Symbolism

Ancient Times

Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest gemstones, having been used in Mesopotamia as early as 7000 BC.

In ancient Sumer, lapis lazuli was used as amulets, seals, and sacred objects, often associated with the gods.

In Egypt, lapis lazuli became a symbol of power and eternity, most notably in Tutankhamun's funeral mask, and in powdered form for use in cosmetics and pigments.

Its deep blue color was believed to symbolize heaven and eternal life.

Middle Ages

During Greek and Roman times, lapis lazuli was highly prized, though often confused with sapphire.

It was considered a stone of truth and protection, believed to protect the wearer from evil and promote harmony.

In medieval Europe, lapis lazuli was imported via trade routes and prized for its rich ultramarine pigment, which was more expensive than gold and was used to decorate manuscripts and paint the Virgin Mary's robes.

Modern Times

By the Renaissance, lapis lazuli had cemented its position as one of the most important pigments in Western art, shaping masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo and Vermeer.

Beyond art, it remains a precious gemstone, adorning jewelry and luxury items.

In more recent centuries, it has symbolized wisdom, truth, and enlightenment, maintaining its cultural importance while becoming a beloved gem in jewelry around the world.

Symbolism

Throughout history, lapis lazuli has symbolized heaven, truth, and spiritual insight.

In ancient traditions, it was believed to offer protection, elevate consciousness, and connect humans to the divine.

Its deep, azure blue color continues to symbolize peace, clarity, and higher wisdom, making it not only a beautiful gem but also one that holds profound meaning across civilizations.

Where are Lapis Lazuli found?

The most famous source of lapis lazuli is Afghanistan, where it has been mined for over 6,000 years.

The resulting lapis lazuli has a deep, rich color, often flecked with golden pyrite, making it highly sought after throughout history and around the world.

Extensive lapis lazuli deposits are also found in Chile, where the lapis lazuli is typically lighter in color and often contains more calcite inclusions, giving it a mottled or speckled appearance.

Despite these variations, Chilean lapis lazuli remains a significant supplier to the global market.

Smaller deposits exist in Russia, where lapis lazuli can produce rich colors, but these are less common on the international market.

Lapis lazuli has also been found in Myanmar, Pakistan, Canada, and the United States, but these sources are limited.

What color is Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis lazuli is renowned for its deep, rich blue, often described as indigo, royal blue, or midnight blue.

The finest lapis lazuli boasts a rich, saturated hue with minimal variation, resulting in a rich, smooth texture that has been prized for centuries.

Lapis lazuli also exhibits subtle variations based on its composition. Fluffs of golden pyrite add a sparkling contrast, while streaks of white calcite can soften the hue, sometimes giving the gem a mottled or cloudy appearance.

The most valuable lapis lazuli possesses a uniform, deep blue color, with only traces of calcite and a subtle pyrite sheen.

Types of Lapis Lazuli 

Royal Blue Lapis Lazuli

Royal Blue Lapis Lazuli is the most prized variety, renowned for its deep, rich ultramarine hue and exceptionally low inclusion content.

It often contains tiny flecks of golden pyrite, enhancing its brilliance without obscuring its rich blue hue.

This type of lapis lazuli has been prized since ancient times for use in jewelry, carvings, and even as a powdered pigment for masterpieces of art.

Persian Lapis Lazuli

Persian lapis lazuli is prized for its evenly saturated blue color, free of visible calcite inclusions.

Originally mined in Afghanistan, Persian lapis lazuli has been prized for its pure color and luxurious appearance for centuries.

It remains one of the most sought-after varieties for fine jewelry and decorative items.

Denim Lapis Lazuli

Denim lapis lazuli is lighter in hue and often contains visible calcite inclusions, giving it a soft, faded blue color, similar to distressed denim.

While not as valuable as royal lapis lazuli, it is prized for its unique qualities and often used in casual or bohemian jewelry.

 

 

 

Chilean Lapis Lazuli

Chilean lapis lazuli, primarily mined in Chile, typically has a higher calcite content, resulting in a lighter blue color, sometimes streaked with white.

While the color isn't as intense as Afghan or Persian lapis lazuli, its distinctive appearance makes it easily recognizable.

Its availability also makes it popular for decorative carvings and ornamental purposes.

Pyrite-Rich Lapis Lazuli

This variety is striking for its rich golden pyrite inclusions, which create a vibrant shimmer against the blue background.

While excessive pyrite can sometimes diminish a gem's appeal, in the right proportions it can enhance the gem's beauty and add a starry, star-like effect.

Russian Lapis Lazuli

Russian lapis lazuli, historically mined in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, typically has a deep blue color with inclusions of calcite and pyrite.

Treasured since the days of the Russian Tsars, it has been used extensively in palace decorations, mosaics, and religious iconography.

This lapis lazuli embodies both natural beauty and profound cultural heritage.