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White Buffalo Turquoise

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Pendant
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Vintage style white buffalo turquoise pendant made by Navajo artist Gilbert Tom. Stunning piece of
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling bracelet. Large quality center stone surrounded by
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian white buffalo turquoise and sterling bracelet. Large quality center
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Beautiful and large with excellent sterling work. Navajo white buffalo turquoise bracelet set in
Category

Early 2000s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
$1,500
H 2 in W 6 in D 6 in L 2 in
White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise ring set in sterling silver. Large enter stone surrounded by thick
Category

2010s American Native American Fashion Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise dangle earrings. Quality stones cut in asymmetrical triangle shapes
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings. Single rounded triangle cut
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bolo
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Large white buffalo turquoise bolo necktie by Navajo Silversmith Caleb Calles Yaqui. Stamped with
Category

2010s American Native American Rope Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Stud Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise stud earrings. Asymmetrical cut stones in smooth bezel setting with
Category

2010s American Native American Stud Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise bracelet set in sterling silver. Large center with cast and hand
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and White Buffalo turquoise earrings. Natural, untreated grade A quality
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian white buffalo turquoise ring set in sterling silver. Large center
Category

2010s American Band Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian white buffalo turquoise ring set in sterling silver. Large center
Category

2010s American Band Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian white buffalo turquoise ring set in sterling silver. Large center
Category

2010s American Band Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise dangle earrings. Teardrop cut stone in smooth bezel setting with
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise dangle earrings. Teardrop cut stone in smooth bezel setting with
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Stud Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver stud earrings. Rounded asymmetrical rectangle
Category

2010s American Native American Stud Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Stud Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver stud earrings. Rounded triangle cut stones in
Category

2010s American Native American Stud Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings. Stones are a stark white with
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and white buffalo turquoise dangle earrings by Navajo silversmith Brandon
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and white buffalo turquoise dangle earrings by Navajo silversmith Brandon
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and White Buffalo turquoise cuff bracelet. Three sunburst floral
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Single grade A quality stone set
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise earrings set in sterling silver. Quality natural stone surrounded by
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver adjustable ring. Made by Navajo Silversmith
Category

2010s American Native American Fashion Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings. Made by Navajo Silversmith Mary
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings. Made by Navajo Silversmith Mary
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings. Stones have stark black and
Category

2010s American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Whtie Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Stud Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver stud earrings. Stones are cut in an asymmetrical
Category

2010s American Native American Stud Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Monies Statement Necklace White Turquoise and Chrysoprase
By Monies Gerda Lynggaard
Located in Lake Worth, FL
about one inch barrow shape White Buffalo Royston Turquoise and multi strings Chrysoprase stone beads
Category

Vintage 1980s Danish Modern Link Necklaces

Recent Sales

Aspen Tree (White Buffalo Turquoise Pendant) by Ken Fury
By Ken Fury
Located in Queens, NY
unique White Buffalo Turquoise stone from Nevada. The stone's characteristic white color with black and
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Nevada White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Statement Drop Earrings
Located in Tucson, AZ
Beautiful Nevada White Buffalo turquoise rectangular drop earrings set on sterling silver ear wires
Category

2010s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian white buffalo turquoise and sterling bracelet. Large quality center
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

VINTAGE Cream White Buffalo Turquoise Necklace
Located in San Francisco, CA
VINTAGE necklace comes in a cream & white buffalo turquoise featuring a horn design and a clasp
Category

20th Century Choker Necklaces

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo white buffalo turquoise and sterling silver bracelet. Cast bracelet with large palmettes
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Carolyn Pollack Sterling Silver White Buffalo Turquoise Ring Size 8 #20555
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Carolyn Pollack Sterling Silver White Buffalo Turquoise Ring Size 8 - This beautiful ring features
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Larson L. Lee Sterling Silver White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff #20058
By Navajo
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling Silver Navajo Larson L. Lee White Buffalo Turquoise Cuff This stunning Navajo cuff by
Category

20th Century Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

White Buffalo Turquoise, Trilobite Fossil and Ancient Roman Coin Dangle Earrings
By Vicki Orr
Located in Naples, FL
3-tier, oxidized sterling silver Bohemian dangle earrings featuring White Buffalo Turquoise
Category

2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Silver, Sterling S...

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Dramatic white buffalo turquoise earrings with 2 smooth stones and hand-stamped detailing. Sterling
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White buffalo turquoise earrings with hand stamped silver palmette posts and dangle drops of
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Earrings
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise dangle earrings set in sterling silver and stamped "M.P. Sterling
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Absolutely stunning Navajo white buffalo turquoise bracelet set in sterling silver. Extra large
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
H 2.5 in W 5.75 in L 5.75 in
Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling silver and white buffalo turquoise bracelet by Navajo silversmith Jamie Johnson
Category

2010s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
White buffalo turquoise and sterling silver ring. Large stone surrounded by twisted rope and bead
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cluster Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo White Buffalo turquoise and sterling silver ring. Large quality stone set in shadow box and
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cluster Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Sterling and white buffalo turquoise bracelet. Large center stone surrounded by twisted rope and
Category

Early 2000s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Bracelet
H 2 in W 5.75 in L 5.75 in
White Buffalo Turquoise and Sterling Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Large Navajo White Buffalo mine turquoise ring set in sterling silver two bands on sides looping
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cluster Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian sterling silver and White Buffalo turquoise ring by Avin Joe. Square
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Native American Turquoise Coral Malachite Earrings Pendant Set Sterling 925
Located in Greensboro, NC
Malachite Color: Green Natural Gaspeite Color: Green Natural White Buffalo Turquoise Treatment: Routinely
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Coral, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise

Navajo Turquoise, Coral, and Sterling Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Cuff 2"W, 5.75" Interior, Gap 1.75" Bracelets, Jewelry, White Buffalo, Turquoise
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Coral, Sterling Silver

Zuni Inlaid Stones and Sterling Silver Bracelet
By Zuni
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
, onyx, coral, malachite, lapis and white buffalo turquoise. Makers marks symbols on inside stamped with
Category

Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Onyx, Turquoise, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Human to Tree (White Buffalo Turquoise Pendant) by Ken Fury
By Ken Fury
Located in Queens, NY
silver. Stone: White Buffalo Turquoise from Nevada. Pendant size: 42mm x 26mm Hand-signed. A 20-inch
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

William Singer White Buffalo Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff
By William Singer
Located in San Diego, CA
currently purchasing. White Buffalo Turquoise is fast becoming a favorite in the marketplace. This is your
Category

Vintage 1970s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

V Hicks Wild Horse White Buffalo Turquoise Sterling Navajo Squash Blossom
Located in San Diego, CA
This Navajo Wild Horse, White Buffalo and Sterling Silver Squash Blossom necklace, signed by Native
Category

Vintage 1980s American Native American Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

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Navajo Golden Hill Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian Golden Hill turquoise and sterling ring. Exceptional high-grade stone featuring signature Golden Hills sky-blue color with deep brown matrix across surf...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Large Navajo Kingman Turquoise Cuff
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Exceptionally large Navajo Kingman turquoise and sterling wrist cuff. 48 nuggets of turquoise interspersed with sterling beads and another large turquoise stone surrounded by twisted...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Large Navajo Kingman Turquoise Cuff
Large Navajo Kingman Turquoise Cuff
$5,500
W 7 in D 4 in L 7 in
Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Cuff
Located in Houston, TX
This beautiful and unique vintage sterling silver cuff features four large turquoise stones accented by sixteen round turquoise stones. The entire cuff features very intricate and de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

GIA Certified 3ct Round-Cut Diamond Solitaire Signet Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Commanding in presence and refined in detail, The Imperial Light solitaire signet ring is a masterclass in contemporary opulence. At its heart gleams a breathtaking 3-carat natural r...
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo single stone turquoise bracelet with stars. Beautiful large stone with hand stamped stars and detail with twisted rope borders. Hand stamped sterling details flows on sides on...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

1960s Native American Silver Turquoise Eagle Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the 1960s Native American Silver Turquoise Eagle Earrings—a pair of statement earrings that beautifully embody the craftsmanship and timeless elegance of Native American ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Silver

Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Large and stunning color Navajo turquoise and sterling cuff bracelet. Large center stone surrounded by twisted rope and leaf border. Sketched "JA" on inside. PERIOD: Mid 20th Centur...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet
Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet
$3,800 / item
H 2.75 in L 6 in
Angelskin Coral Triple Stranded Beaded Necklace 14k Yellow Gold Flower Clasp
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 14k Yellow Gold ​ ​Beads: Angelskin coral Total Weight: 73.8 Grams Length: 32.5" Condition: Preowned, excellent
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Native American Navajo Silver and Turquoise Thunderbird Earrings c.1970s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Native American Navajo Silver and Turquoise Thunderbird Earrings c.1970s Length: 2.45" Width: 1.13" Weight of each earring: 4.86 grams The Thunderbird is a sacred symbol wi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver

Native American Sterling Silver Turquoise Cut-Out Cuff Bracelet #20839
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver and turquoise cut-out cuff bracelet, signed by a Native American artisan. This bracelet features an oval turquoise stone bezel set with a cut-out design and stamped ...
Category

20th Century Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Carico Lake Turquoise Pendant by Navajo Silversmith Betty Tom
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Sterling silver pendant by Navajo silversmith Bea (Betty) Tom. The 2” x 2” pendant with a 3/4” bale has 14 Carico Lake turquoise cabochons surrounding a 1” x 1 1/8 Carico Lake turquo...
Category

Late 20th Century Native American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Navajo Kingman Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo large turquoise slab bracelet. The turquoise is from the Kingman Mine in Arizona. This bracelet has an exceptionally beautiful sky blue stone (over 2") with twisted rope and b...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Kingman Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo Kingman turquoise and sterling racelet. Beautiful large stone surrounded by twisted rop leaves, flowers and scrolls. Some flexibility to the wrist. Nice patina that can be buf...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Coral and Sterling Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo sterling and coral free form bracelet by Annita White Goat. This bracelet has natural coral pieces across the top in a free form style. Stamped sterling and hallmarked "A". P...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Coral, Sterling Silver

Navajo Golden Hill Turquoise Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo Golden Hill turquoise and sterling ring. Stunning stone of deep and light Golden Hill Turquoise set in beads, leaves and hand stamped palmettes. Band of ring hand stamped in s...
Category

2010s American Native American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

NWT $525K 18KT Magnificent Rare Fancy 45ct Paraiba Tourmaline Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The Following Items we are offering is a Rare Important Gorgeous 18KT White Gold Glittering Diamond and Paraiba Tourmaline Necklace!!!! Necklace features Outstanding Multi Shaped Shi...
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21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces

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White Buffalo Turquoise For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact white buffalo turquoise you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Silver, Sterling Silver and Bronze — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a white buffalo turquoise from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Today, if you’re looking for an old mine cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes bead alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a white buffalo turquoise, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a White Buffalo Turquoise?

On average, a white buffalo turquoise at 1stDibs sells for $550, while they’re typically $225 on the low end and $4,500 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.