Though its name comes from the French word for Turkish, turquoise has been known and in use by the indigenous peoples of the land that came to be known as America for over 7,000 years. In fact, every Native American language has a word for turquoise and this demonstrates its values among these diverse cultures. For many Native American jewelry artists and collectors, turquoise is more valuable than gold. For that reason, authentic Native American turquoise jewelry garners premium prices, especially when it is hand wrought by well-known artists of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Santa Domingo cultures.

Healing Rains, Tears

Legend has it that turquoise first came to be through the shedding of tribal tears when the rains came to nourish crops and help feed the people. Dancing in celebration, they mingled their tears with the rains, and from this Mother Earth produced the skystone. As beautiful as this legend is, it parallels very nicely to the symbols many people see in the rich, soothing tones of turquoise. Evocative of both sky and water, turquoise has long been said to have spiritual powers as well as cultural significance. Healers and others often carry it in their pouches as a symbol of life, and it has a rich history of use in ceremonies and remedies for healing the mentally and physically ill. The notion that turquoise has healing capabilities seems ever more plausible as one considers its soothing appearance and cool-to-the-touch feeling.

A Broad Range of Possibility

Today’s Native American artists often include turquoise in a wide variety of designs, and it especially well-loved by those who create wearable art in the form of rings, circlets, bracelets, pendants, and brooches. Among the designs that easily captivate collectors from throughout the world are fetish pieces that combine precious stones and metals with spirit animal motifs that many believe have powerful spiritual significance. Popular fetishes include bear, wolf, armadillo, eagle, bat, hummingbirds, and turtles. These motifs are worn in a wide variety of jewelry types to embolden, strengthen, and empower the people for whom they hold great meaning. Combining such a powerful spirit emblem with a stone, such as turquoise, that conveys spiritual and healing significance all its own is effective is creating a work of art to be worn for deeper meaning than most other jewelries of the world.

There are many types of jewelry that are significantly beautified and improved by the inclusion of turquoise in their design. The types of authentic Native American turquoise jewelry that collectors might expect to find available from current artists include buckles and bolos, pins, necklaces, and earrings. Furthermore, a great variety of other Native American art types include turquoise elements as well: pottery, kachinas, and carvings.

Transcendent Art

Whatever path brings you to seek Native American turquoise jewelry and art, take care to ensure that you are dealing with reputable agents of authentic artists in this culture. The work they create far transcends the natural boundaries of art. They create from a cultural understanding, deep awareness and affection, and the desire to promote and maintain the glorious nature of the spiritual connection to their ancestors and a way of life too often threatened by what others have called progress.