Turquoise – Stone of Luck

Turquoise

Turquoise is a primary mineral for Scorpio. It is also associated with Cancer, Sagittarius and Aquarius. Turquoise is often linked with Venus. In Vedic astrology it is associated with Ketu.

Chakra: throat

Hardness: 5-6.

Color: Sky blue to whitish blue, greenish brown, pale blue-green to light green; usually matte. Artificially colored material is also available on the market.

Deposits: Iran, Pakistan, Tibet, China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, the USA, Russia, Chile, Australia, Turkmenistan, Cornwall. In Bulgaria it has been found in the Spahievo ore field and in the Momchilgrad area.

Chemical composition: hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum.

Commercial form: the color of natural turquoise is not stable, so products made from this mineral may fade over time. For this reason, the market is heavily saturated with substitutes – most often other minerals dyed blue. Products made from them can often be recognized by their price. Turquoise is widely replaced on retail stands with blue-dyed howlite.

Description: Turquoise is not actually a crystal, but a massive, translucent and very fragile mineral. Turquoise has been valued since ancient times. If you have jewelry featuring it, take care because it is fragile and scratches and breaks easily.

Its name comes from Turkish traders who first brought it to Europe – turkisher stein (Turkish stone).

Turquoise was probably first noticed because of its beautiful blue color, which many attribute to the presence of copper, ammonium and traces of iron. Its color ranges from the color of a southern sky to blue-green. The highest-quality sky-blue specimens are mined in Iran.

The color of turquoise can be affected by many factors: acidic perspiration, for example, may turn it green. If you use perfume, hairspray or creams, keep in mind that they may also affect it. Some believe the mineral is sensitive to atmospheric conditions or that its color changes with the weather.

History and legends: Since ancient times, the Egyptians mined turquoise on the Sinai Peninsula. Their goddess Isis was called the “mistress of turquoise” (although scholars still debate whether the reference was actually to lapis lazuli or turquoise).

The Persians (in the territory of present-day Iran) also revered turquoise. Beads dating to 5000 BC have been discovered in present-day Iran. For the Persians, turquoise was a guardian stone of lovers’ happiness. In fact, it is still said that the finest specimens come from Iran.

Turquoise was also used in Siberia for making jewelry as early as the 5th century BC.

The Turks valued it highly as an amulet and called it fayruz (stone of luck). According to 13th-century manuscripts, Turks attached turquoise to horses’ bridles to protect both rider and horse from falls and injuries, and this practice probably dates back to even earlier times.

Turquoise was well known in Europe. At the beginning of the 17th century it was highly valued and was worn more often by men.

Since ancient times, turquoise has been a sacred mineral for Native Americans, who used it as a magical stone against threatening misfortune. The beautiful blue mineral was known to the Aztecs, Toltecs and Olmecs. A thousand years ago, the Aztecs mined it from Mount Chalchihuitl in Cerrillos, New Mexico. Some of their most magnificent creations are funerary masks inlaid with turquoise mosaics. Common people were not allowed to wear them because they were intended only as offerings to the gods. After the Spanish conquest and the destruction of the Maya temple by Cortés in 1533, only the Apache and Pueblo peoples of the Southwestern states continued to revere it. The Apache called it duklij. Every shaman had to possess a piece of turquoise; otherwise, he was considered to have no power and to be unworthy of respect. As a sacred stone, it was sometimes thrown into rivers to bring rain.

Turquoise was part of the medical equipment of most physicians in the 15th century. Doctors of the time ground it into powder and made an elixir from it against scorpion bites and suffering believed to be caused by demonic possession. It was also used for tired eyes, either by placing turquoise stones over the eyes or having people gaze at them.

Native Americans and Tibetan Buddhists held turquoise in high esteem. According to their traditions, it gave life and breath to the Earth and all its creatures, while also guarding and protecting body and soul. In both cultures it was combined with red coral as a symbol of life force.

Turquoise is considered an expression of generosity, sincerity and affection. It is said to preserve friendship and even turn enemies into friends. Traditionally, it is believed to bring luck only when given as a gift rather than purchased. This, however, is not always considered true, and the inner energy of each stone is said to need individual assessment.

Healing properties: Turquoise is regarded as a powerful healer with feminine yin energy and is therefore traditionally believed to be especially helpful for women’s ailments.

It is also used traditionally for the prevention and treatment of headaches. It is said to tone and strengthen the whole body. It is known for supporting tissue regeneration, improving circulation and helping with various problems related to the circulatory and respiratory systems.

Turquoise, worn together with amber, is believed to activate the body’s natural resistance to various illnesses.

A recipe attributed to Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (10th century) for activating vital energy throughout the body: In the evening, place rock crystal and turquoise in a glass of water. In the morning, drink the water slowly, in sips. Remove the turquoise, then fill the glass with three parts water and one part red wine. This elixir is also drunk slowly in the evening before going to bed, after placing both minerals back in the glass and filling it with water. The water used for al-Biruni’s recipe should not contain chloride ions. In addition to being believed to support good health, the recipe was said to help relieve stomach pain and heartburn, inflammation of the mucous membranes and throat irritation.

Silver jewelry with turquoise is believed to strengthen self-confidence. Massaging the fingers from above and from the sides with an unpolished piece is said to help relieve both depressive states and irritability.

Qualities: Some Native American traditions call it a “heavenly” or “paradise stone” because its vibrations are believed to build a bridge between worlds and enhance psychic abilities.

The mineral is considered especially suitable for meditation because it is believed to enhance creativity, calm the mind, and support connection and emotional balance.

As a protective and balancing stone, turquoise is believed to synchronize the chakras. It is said to reconcile friends and lovers and gently encourage its owner to seek answers and knowledge.

To attract prosperity, hold turquoise in your right hand and tell it your wishes while looking at it and stating your intentions.

Use: It is believed to be beneficial to hang a turquoise bead in a car for protection. To this day, blue beads are used in the Middle East as protection against the evil eye and black magic.

If you obtain natural, untreated turquoise, it is traditionally recommended to place it in water for one night each week. Keep in mind that the mineral does not tolerate sunlight, perfumes, makeup, creams or smoky environments.

Sources used:

Stein, Diane. Healing with Gemstones. Sofia: Aratron, 2005.

Conway, D. J. Gemstones and Their Magical Properties. Sofia: Aratron, 2008.

Kivrin, Vladimir. The Healing and Magical Properties of Crystals. Sofia: Paritet, 2014.

Miteva, Gergana. Ivan Mitev. Encyclopedia of Healing Minerals: A-Z: Second Expanded Edition, Haskovo: IK Oponent, 2004.

Barbara Ann Brennan, Hands of Light, Sofia: Kibea, 2000.

Nelson, Mary, Jane Scrivner. Healing with Stones, Sofia: Mont, 2011.