Turquoise Jewelry ~ What the World Creates by Hand

The beautiful gemstone, turquoise, has been a favorite throughout the world for centuries. The gem has been used both for its beauty and for the powers it may bestow. It has been prized for its protection from the hazards of life, its connection with deities or its healing properties and whether for artistic, health or religious purposes, an abundance of exquisite ornaments have been produced for more than 1000 years. Turquoise jewelry designs are varied, most often with silver as inlay or with repousse (relief silver). These adornments are unique, powerful and timeless testaments to mankind’s ingenuity and creativity. Turquoise has for centuries, and still is, a prized choice for high quality jewelry.

World Traditions ~ Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise jewelry is considered a good gift because historically the turquoise is thought to bring wealth to the wearer. These powerful talismans of wealth and protection historically have decorated everything from swords to clothing to horse's bridles. The word turquoise means “Turkish Stone” since the stones were first brought to Europe from mines in Turkey. Traditionally, turquoise is well known for its protective qualities and many cultures carry a turquoise stone with them at all times. Whether strung on beads, carved into animal fetishes, or combined with other stones such as onyx, amethyst, or coral, the brilliant sky blue/green of turquoise has been prized around the globe over the centuries.

Jewelry has traditionally been an important part of Tibetan daily dress. It is believed that jewels put people in touch with deities, and protect them from the many hazards of life. Turquoise and coral are considered gifts from the gods, are desired as a sign of the auspicious and are praised as a sacred talisman. The endless knot diagram that surrounds the turquoise in Tibetan pendant symbolizes devotion.

Turquoise Gemstones ~ What to Buy

Turquoise is a form of hydrated copper aluminum phosphate mineral and has been valued as a gemstone for thousands of years. The best quality turquoise comes from the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Israel, Afghanistan and China. However, some jewelry experts would maintain that the stones with the truest sky blue color come from Northern Iran.

When buying turquoise jewelry it is best to buy it in a setting that will protect the gemstone. This is because turquoise is one of the softer gemstones, with a rating of MOH of 6 on the hardness scale and it can easily be damaged if it suffers a hard impact. The fact that it is so fragile makes it difficult to cut it into facets without breaking. That is why they are usually sold as turquoise beads or cabochons.

Turquoise Healing Properties

Turquoise has also been used for healing. Whether for healing physical problems such as headaches or eye problems or for spiritual healing such as alleviating stress and nervousness, help with problem solving or promoting friendship, turquoise is regarded by many as a beneficial aid. In new age philosophies, turquoise is a symbol of rapid favorable change. It is worn to dissolve prosperity blocks, connect one to his or her higher self and to cure depression. The stone also instills loyalty in partnerships while at the same time dispelling negative emotions such as resentment, possessiveness or jealousy. It is also a symbol of an imaginative and creative mind that is not afraid to explore new ideas.

Turquoise Jewelry Today

Today, turquoise jewelry makes an especially thoughtful gift. Who wouldn’t want to share this handmade, jewelry tradition and the special magic and healing properties of turquoise with cherished family members and friends.

Tibetan turquoise and repoussé silver jewelry can be viewed at Urban Organic Designs.

Knitting Metal

Knitting Silver

It sounds impossible doesn't it? Yet, in fun, it reminds me of the famous children's fairy tale, Rumplestiltskin, and the little elf who helped the poor miller's daughter spin straw into gold. As I take sterling silver wire and work loop over loop to create a precious metal chain, I find great satisfaction in creating something more magical and wonderful than the simple material from which it derives. Chains from a simple spool of wire...now that's fun!

Organic Silver Forms

I love texture in jewelry. Knitting, hammering, bending, folding and forming silver create such amazing textures and forms. Fold forming is a new system of metal forming which developed between 1980 and the present. Fold-forming is an approach to metalsmithing that creates jewelry by relying on metal's characteristics and following what the metal naturally wants to do. Rather than forcing form upon the material, forms are partially derived from the natural tendencies of the plasticity, ductility and elasticity of the metal.

You can see a fold-formed bracelet on our website Urban Organic Designs. Our "Silver Cuff Bracelet" has "ruffles" and "rivulets" which references natural forms such as streams and waterfalls. We love bringing nature to urban environments and accessories through our jewelery designs.

How to Fold-Form Metal

One of the best resources for learning how to fold-form is Brainpress. Here is the link to see the amazing fold-formed copper and silver created by Charles Lewton-Brain. http://brainpress.com/Foldforming.html Enjoy!!