Turquoise is a sacred stone "that has been used for centuries to adorn ritual objects and is still considered a valuable possession by the Indians and the Indians of Mexico," says Carol Karasik, author of The Turquoise Trail. An anthropologist and a jeweler, Karasik has published several books on art, crafts and culture.

"The manufacture of turquoise jewelry is a small dynamic industry in the Southwest," she says, "where members of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo and create other nations ... [jewelry], that refer to prehistoric myths and symbols of the clam."

For thousands of years, the turquoise has been retained, both for its natural beauty and its presumed power to heal. Not only turquoise used by North American Indians for jewelry and sculptures, its history goes back even earlier to ancient Egypt, as exquisite turquoise adornments have been found in graves.

The color of turquoise can cover a range from yellow to blue-green dramatic, and this semi-precious stone is mined throughout the world. In addition to its attractive appearance and the relative ease with which it can be drilled for stringing pearls or be burned in an animal fetishes, turquoise has a more mystical. According to the myths and legends of many cultures, the stone would have the power to heal. In addition, it is deemed to help creativity, helps them to address and reduce stress. In addition, the turquoise is said to have the ability to detoxify the body, giving the wearer a deeper sense of self-knowledge, build relationships, strengthen bonds of friendship, honesty and increase and wisdom.

In addition to North America and Egypt, turquoise mines are in China, Iran and Turkey. The color of the stone is determined by the different minerals in the surrounding earth. The presence of iron creates a greener turquoise, and copper in the region creates a stone that is bluer in appearance. If there is zinc in the soil adjacent the jewel will be greenish yellow. Finally, there is a rare variety in an area of Nevada where the minerals are present it is known that the White Buffalo turquoise.

Precautions must be taken by those who want to clean turquoise jewelry, especially if it is a valuable antique piece. Sprinkle with rocks in chemical solvents can cause serious damage to the porous structure. These stones should never be cleaned using ultrasonic cleaners or steam. Instead, mix some warm water and soap, and use a cotton swab dipped in the tip of the solution to gently remove the soil, after which the turquoise should be erased with clean water to remove any residual soap.

Whether a modern or ancient heritage, the creation of a model on the traditional styles, a piece of silver jewelry and turquoise, handmade by an artisan art of Native Americans can be retained both for its beauty and the ancient heritage it represents.