Turquoise Bezel
Early 2000s American Brooches
Quartz, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Native American Tribal Art
Silver
Vintage 1980s Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Navajo Native American Objects
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Navajo Native American Objects
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s American Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Native American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
1990s American Native American Fashion Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Renaissance Bridal Rings
Turquoise, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s British Native American Fashion Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Drop Necklaces
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s Drop Earrings
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary More Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Modern Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Native American Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s American Artisan Dome Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century American Native American Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American More Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Cufflinks
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Modern Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Brass, Gold-filled
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterli...
Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Blue Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, Diamond, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gol...
1970s American Belts
Antique 1890s Victorian Chain Bracelets
Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Platinum
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Turquoise Bezel For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Turquoise Bezel?
The Legacy of Turquoise in Jewelry Design
The thought of vintage and antique turquoise jewelry often conjures up images of striking Navajo bracelets and necklaces worn with a denim shirt and cowboy boots. This all-American look has been celebrated by fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger on their runways and in ad campaigns. In the October 2016 issue of Vogue magazine, Tom Ford said he only wears turquoise jewelry at his Santa Fe ranch. So what is it about this gorgeous blue-green stone that makes us wish that we were born in December?
It’s not surprising that turquoise is abundant in New Mexico and Arizona because, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it needs to be in “dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.
Turquoise is not found in a single crystal but is a combination of microcrystals. Its appearance, waxy and opaque, is attributed to its structure and composition. “It’s an aggregate of microscopic crystals that form a solid mass. If the crystals are packed closely together, the material is less porous, so it has a finer texture. Fine-textured turquoise has an attractive, waxy luster when it’s polished. Turquoise with a less-dense crystal structure has higher porosity and coarser texture, resulting in a dull luster when it’s polished,” notes the GIA. Since no one wants to set a dull piece of turquoise, porous turquoise is often treated to make the stone more attractive.
In the United States, there have been discoveries of turquoise from 200 B.C. It is not just loose turquoise stones that have been found, but entire suites of jewelry from prehistoric times. In the late 19th-century, the Navajo Indians, who learned silversmithing from the Spanish, started to make beads out of turquoise and eventually combined it with silver around the 1880s. Initially this jewelry was for ceremonial purposes, but it became fashionable once the tourism in the Southwest picked up in the beginning of the 20th century.
Find antique and vintage turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories on 1stDibs.