Did you know that in 17th century wearing turquoise jewelry was a must for a well-dressed gentleman? The gemstone was popular to the point when all the emeralds in the crown that Napoleon I gave to Empress Marie Louise were replaced with Persian turquoise cabochons.
Today Persian turquoise is beloved by jewelry aficionados for its warm, calming color. It may vary from sky-blue to green. As to the dark veins, it depends on your preferences and a certain piece. Some jewelry collectors prefer turquoise with the web pattern of matrix as it adds character to a piece.
The name “turquoise” came from the French pierre tourques that translates as a “Turkish stone.” The mineral was first transported to the west through Turkey from mines in the historical Khorasan province of Iran (Persia) and Afghanistan. Pre-Columbian Native Americans mined the stone throughout nowadays. In all these cultures turquoise was considered as a protective stone for warriors and symbolized the connection to the heaven.
