Why is turquoise so valuable to Apache?

The Apaches of the southwestern United States associated Turquoise with skill, strength and invincibility. They attached pieces of Turquoise to their bows and guns believing it would make them precise and fierce hunters and warriors.

Why is turquoise valuable to Apache?

Apache people associate the stone with rain found at the rainbow's end. They tied pieces of turquoise to their bows to keep them safe and give then strength and skill in battle. The Hopi believed that turquoise is the waste product of a lizard that travels between the heavens and the earth.

Why do Native Indians wear turquoise?

Turquoise Symbolism

Turquoise is a symbol of protection, truth, and courage. According to Native Americans, the person who wears the stone is protected from harm, especially when fighting battles, while animals carry the rider safely and prevent falling off.

Why is blue stone valuable to Apache?

Like the Aztecs, the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache tribes cherished turquoise for its amuletic use; the latter tribe believe the stone to afford the archer dead aim. Among these peoples turquoise was used in mosaic inlay, in sculptural works, and was fashioned into toroidal beads and freeform pendants.

Why is turquoise sacred to Navajo?

At its simplest, turquoise is simply a bringer of good fortune. The Navajo would store it in baskets or hang it from the ceilings to ward off evil in the home, and they would surround the exteriors of homes or graves with it for the same reason. Warriors would carry it to battle to ensure strength and protection.

Navajo Teachings: The Truth About Turquoise

Does Apache wear turquoise?

The Apaches of the southwestern United States associated Turquoise with skill, strength and invincibility. They attached pieces of Turquoise to their bows and guns believing it would make them precise and fierce hunters and warriors.

What did the blue stone mean to the Apache?

The Apache believe turquoise filled the pot at the end of the rainbow. Zuni ceremonies include turquoise-colored face, mask, and body paint to represent Awonauilona, the sun's life-giving power. Its power is so great that no horseman would ride while carrying turquoise; it would tire the horse.

What is Apache turquoise?

Apache Blue Turquoise mine, also known as Turkey Track, is a small mine located in the Candelaria hills of Nevada. Mined by the Ottesons, most of the Apache Blue Turquoise being extracted is an absolutely beautiful blue stone with a gorgeous black web matrix, as well as brown to brown/orange matrix.

What makes turquoise so special?

"The unique appeal of turquoise comes from its color kinship to the sky and compatibility to water, which is the most precious thing in the Southwest." "Nearly every Native American tribe has made some use of turquoise, whether for healing or aesthetic purposes," Garland says.

Why is turquoise important?

Turquoise, the captivating sea-green stone of the ancients, represents wisdom, tranquility, protection, good fortune, and hope. Ancient peoples believed in its profound power to protect, as well as its tranquil energy and its association with enduring love.

What does turquoise mean to indigenous people?

This beautiful blue stone which has been known to represent power, status, and luxury, is very important to the Navajo people. Because of its reputation as a stone that brings good fortune, they store turquoise in baskets or hang it from the ceiling in order to protect the family from evil.

Did the Cherokee wear turquoise?

In the coastal woodlands of the Carolina's native Americans also revered the color of turquoise. Cherokee Indians used indigo to dye their clothes the brilliant blue color and also to created jewelry and trading items.

Is turquoise a sacred stone?

Turquoise as a Stone of Hope

People everywhere have cherished turquoise, whether used as a decorative or protective amulet, a horse protector, or rain bringer. The blue stone with the cheeriness of the sunny sky has always been foremost a symbol of hope.

Why was turquoise so important to the Aztecs?

Aztec Turquoise Symbolism

The Aztecs believed the god Quetzalcoatl taught them the art of polishing and cutting turquoise. Their chiefs wore long strings of Candelaria Turquoise beads as a symbol of distinction. In the temple of the great goddess Matlalcueye, the Aztecs presented the offerings of this stone.

Is turquoise rarer than diamonds?

By definition of rarity (not market size) turquoise is rarer than diamonds. Diamonds deserve their place in the world of gemstones as a commerce gemstone. They are an easy gemstone and subject to learn about and grade.

Is turquoise becoming rare?

With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare. A sky-blue colored stone with a gray and gold spiderweb matrix sits melded into an intricate silver ring with engraved feathers along the sides.

What happens if you get turquoise wet?

Can you shower with a turquoise jewel? As mentioned before, water and humidity are not recommended. This mineral from dry and arid environments will absorb liquids and chemical products (water, soap, cream, ...) and the colour will be altered.

What is the highest quality turquoise?

Blue Turquoise

The most-prized turquoise color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes referred to as robin's egg blue or sky blue in the trade.

What is Indian turquoise?

In India turquoise is known as 'phiroza' and 'December birthstone'. In ancient Mexico turquoise was believed to be a stone of the Gods. In Asian countries like India, Persia and Afghanistan, people had a belief that wearing Turquoise promoted good health, prosperity and protected one against evil.

What stone is Apache tears?

Apache tears are rounded pebbles of obsidian or "obsidianites" composed of black or dark-colored natural volcanic glass, usually of rhyolite composition and bearing conchoidal fracture.

What jewelry did Apache wear?

Both Apache men and women wore jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Earrings would often include strands of beads or turquoise or shells. If bracelets were worn they would typically wrap long strands of beads to make the bracelets. Occasionally bracelets would be made of silver.

Where did the Indians get turquoise?

In North America, turquoise first appeared to be mined and used around 200 B.C. by the Hohokam and Anasazi people. These early Native Indians mined the famous Cerrillos and Burro Mountains of what is now New Mexico and in Arizona the Kingman turquoise mine and Morenci turquoise mine.

What tribe makes turquoise jewelry?

The main tribes who are responsible for most of the turquoise jewelry creation in the past – the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni – have made such an incredible contribution to this art form over the centuries.

Is it okay to wear Native American jewelry?

In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer. And if there's something that you really shouldn't be wearing — i.e. a headdress with special religious or tribal significance — the artist you're buying from will likely let you know.

What do Apaches call themselves?

The Apaches referred to themselves as Inde or Diné, meaning "the people." The Apaches arrived in the Southwest between A.D. 1000 and 1400.