Turquoise, a precious stone of Persian origin
A thousand-year-old stone with Persian origins
Turquoise is a semi-precious stone with shades ranging from sky blue to blue-green , often traversed by brown or black veins . The etymology of the word " Turquoise " comes from the Old French "turcois," meaning today " Turk " or " from Turkey ."
This precious stone has been mined for millennia in Iran , formerly known as Persia , where it was considered a protective talisman against evil forces , particularly the evil eye . In Persia, turquoise also held strong symbolic value , sometimes even serving as currency in transactions.
Introduction to Europe and origin of the name
Turquoise was introduced to Europe by Venetian merchants during the Crusades ( 11th–13th centuries ). Although it did not originate in Turkey, the stone passed through the country via trade routes linking Asia to Europe, which explains its name derived from that country, then nicknamed " Turkish stone ".
Current use and production
The term " turquoise " was officially adopted in the 17th century to designate this stone, a time when Turkey was one of the main countries mining it . Even today, Turkey remains a major player in the global trade and distribution of turquoise, alongside other producing countries such as Iran , the United States (particularly Arizona and Nevada), and China .
Prized for its unique color and symbolic virtues , it is used in the composition of many pieces of jewelry such as rings , bracelets or necklaces .
