A Guide to Kingman Turquoise Jewelry Traditions
Every year people in America spend more than $82 billion on jewelry. Having stunning pieces in your collection means that you will always have the perfect accompaniment to any outfit.
However, if you are going to invest in jewelry or make it yourself, it is important to do your research. This can tell you a lot about the quality of the gems you're buying, their durability, and how to look after them properly.
So what do you need to know about Kingman turquoise jewelry? 🤔 If you're interested in discovering more about this eye-catching stone's rich history, you're in the right place! Read on to find out everything you need to know about Kingman turquoise over the years.
Making Kingman Turquoise Jewelry: This Gem's Origins
You can find turquoise stones all over the world. This ancient stone is formed when rainwater seeps into cracks in rocks.
As the water sits in these crevices, it absorbs copper from the rock. This gives the stones their statement color. Once the water evaporates it leaves this copper residue behind, which starts to react with the aluminum and phosphorus in the rock.
Combined, these elements create a bright blue stone within the original rock itself. This is what gives Kingman turquoise its unique streaks or veins. These are left over from the original stone and are a special mark of how this stunning gem formed in nature.
Kingman turquoise gets its name from the area where it is mined, in Kingman, Arizona. Among the rough desert, you'll find an impressive copper pit, which has become a valuable source of these stunning stones.
Aesthetic Qualities of Kingman Turquoise
Turquoise stones can come in a whole range of colors from light blue to stronger green hues. This depends a lot on the amount of copper present when they formed.
Kingman turquoise is known for its bold sky-blue color. Perhaps even more distinctively, it often features a "water web" matrix, created when the stone formed.
This black, brown, and almost gold web perfectly complements the strong blue hues of the stone itself.
The amount of webbing in each stone varies, depending on how it formed. So you can get Kingman stones with a lot of webbing or hardly any at all!
Durability of Kingman Turquoise
Kingman turquoise ranks between five and six on the Mohs scale. This makes it incredibly durable so, with the right care, your jewelry will stand the test of time.
It is important to care for your turquoise carefully. So you should remove it before taking a shower, bathing, swimming, or washing up. This is because water can damage this soft stone.
That said, you can also treat Kingman turquoise to improve its resilience and durability. This involves injecting the stone with epoxy or resin to stabilize it.
A lot of Kingman turquoise is also treated using something known as the Zachery process. This is done before the stone is shaped or polished and introduces potassium to each gem.
This doesn't damage the gem or affect its aesthetic qualities. In fact, it makes it tougher and more scratch-resistant, so it can withstand daily wear and tear. It also makes it easier to polish your stone so it looks amazing, even when you've owned it for years!
Symbolic Meanings Linked to Kingman Turquoise
Stunning jewelry can really complete a look. So many people buy turquoise jewelry purely for its aesthetic qualities.
However, natural stones also often have ancient meanings associated with them. This can give each piece of jewelry you make a specific symbolic meaning and a unique selling point.
Thanks to its color, turquoise has traditionally been associated with calmness and tranquility. It is also seen as a symbol of wisdom, protection, hope, and enduring love. In particular, it can be seen as a way to create strength in relationships and bond partners together.
Because of this, you can use it to mark a special occasion or celebrate a long-standing relationship.
Ancient cultures also associated it with good fortune. They saw it as a way to ward off bad luck or evil energy from your life. So it can be the perfect gift for someone facing challenges in their life or starting a new chapter.
History of Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise jewelry doesn't just have a rich color. It also has a rich history! It was first discovered and mined in 3000 BC.
Since then it has influenced trends in a whole range of cultures and communities around the world. It was worn by the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Native American tribes.
Let's take a look at some of the most notable trends of turquoise jewelry throughout history.
Turquoise in Indigenous Culture
Turquoise was first discovered and mined in America by Native American tribes around 1000 AD. They believed that this gem acted as a link between heaven and earth, thanks to its sky-blue color.
Because of this, they often used it to create jewelry and talismans worn by healers in their communities. Meanwhile, others wore this jewelry as a symbol of protection and in the hope that it would bring good fortune to them and their loved ones.
Turkish and Persian Use of Turquoise
In 13th-century Turkey and Persia, turquoise wasn't just used in pieces of statement jewelry. In fact, it was often incorporated into artworks and mosaics.
Perhaps even more interestingly, warriors often used it in their shields, swords, and armor!
They believed that the stone's protective and lucky powers would keep them safe in battle. They also thought that the stone's calming nature would help them conquer their fears before they faced their enemies.
Turquoise in Eurasia
Turquoise has been used for centuries in jewelry across Europe and Asia.
In Greece, young women would wear pendants as a symbol of purity. In England and Russia, it would be given by young suitors to symbolize their everlasting love. Because of this, it was often used in wedding bands to mark the commitment the couple had made to one another.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, people would pair different turquoise hues together within their jewelry. They believed that the shift in color represented the cycle of life and the wisdom that you learn throughout your journey.
Boom During the 1970s
Turquoise jewelry isn't just part of the distant past, though. During the 1970s, Kingman turquoise jewelry became incredibly popular. This is most likely thanks to vibrant colors becoming a fashion trend during this time.
People loved this gem's rich color. Kingman jewelry's natural color also meant people could buy bold jewelry without having to invest in gems that had been chemically treated.
Kingman Turquoise Jewelry Making
Thanks to its soft nature, it is incredibly easy to shape Kingman turquoise to suit any style or size. This makes it a popular choice in necklaces, pendants, earrings, and rings.
Before doing this, it is a good idea to treat your turquoise in order to improve its durability. Some stones are available pre-treated.
You can find out if a stone has been treated by testing its potassium levels. Stones that have been through the Zachery process will have higher potassium levels than untreated stones.
Turquoise Jewelry Trends
Of course, turquoise jewelry trends are as alive today as they ever were! In fact, this stone's rich color makes it the perfect statement piece for any outfit.
Because of its rich history, you can often find Kingman turquoise featured in intricate, traditional designs. This gives the jewelry an almost rustic quality.
However, you can also use it in simpler, sleek designs to give it a more modern edge.
If you want your stone to be the centerpiece and really draw the eye, then pair it with silver or sterling silver. That said, turquoise can look stunning in gold jewelry. This can really bring out the color of the gem itself and the web matrix within it.
In a vibrant ensemble, turquoise jewelry can complement a range of hues. Or, if you want to make a statement with your jewelry, pair it with monochrome colors. This will really make your jewelry stand out!
Thanks to its versatility, Kingman turquoise jewelry can be the perfect accompaniment for any outfit by day or night! 💙
Add Stunning Kingman Turquoise to Your Jewelry Collection Today
As you can see, Kingman turquoise has been a staple part of many cultures' jewelry across history. And there's a reason that it is still popular today!
This eye-catching stone offers a rich color and can stand the test of time. If you're looking for a statement piece, a Kingman turquoise ring or pendant is the perfect accessory.
Ready to create? Find your perfect Kingman turquoise stones and start creating your statement piece today!
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