16" Rose Martin Navajo Silver and Turquoise Nugget Beads

Turquoise – The Sacred Stone of the Southwest

Turquoise is one of the most treasured stones in Native American jewelry, revered for its striking hues ranging from sky blue to deep green, often laced with web-like matrix patterns. For centuries, it has held spiritual and cultural significance for many Southwestern tribes—including the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi—symbolizing protection, healing, prosperity, and connection to the sky and water.

Native artisans have used turquoise in jewelry, regalia, and ceremonial objects for generations. Its soft yet durable nature allows for hand-cut cabochons, inlay, and intricate stone settings, all of which highlight the craftsmanship and symbolism behind each piece.

Origins:
Turquoise is found in several regions across the globe, but the most celebrated stones used in Native American jewelry come from the American Southwest—notably Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Other admired varieties are mined in Mexico, Tibet, and Iran, with each region offering its own distinct coloration and matrix.

Notable and Historic Mines:
Many of the most sought-after turquoise varieties are now considered rare or collectible due to the closure of historic mines, including:

• Sleeping Beauty (Arizona): Famous for its pure sky-blue color and minimal matrix; closed in 2012.

• Bisbee (Arizona): Known for its rich blue color and chocolate matrix; now mined out.

• Lander Blue (Nevada): One of the rarest and most valuable, yielding a deep blue with black spiderweb matrix.

• Morenci (Arizona): Recognized by its pyrite inclusions and deep color; no longer in operation.

Rarity & Value:
Turquoise varies in value based on its origin, hardness, coloration, and matrix. Stones from defunct mines are especially prized by collectors and artisans. Unstabilized, natural turquoise is increasingly rare and more valuable than treated or reconstituted types.

From ancient trade routes to modern jewelry showcases, turquoise continues to be a timeless symbol of identity, artistry, and sacred connection in Native American culture.