Every season is turquoise season. These brilliant and colorful stones are a must-have accessory for any fashionista. Whether you prefer a subtle turquoise touch in fashion jewelry or a head-to-toe look in turquoise, Wilco has got you covered with a variety of turquoise jewelry and apparel.
What Is Turquoise?
Turquoise is an opaque and brightly-colored mineral with blue-green shades. Shades of turquoise can range from a soft white-blue hue to a deep and dark green or blue tint. In some cases, the stone can display striking veins of matrix (remnants of its surrounding rock), stripping the stone and forming eye-catching patterns.
As for turquoise’s cut, this gemstone can usually be found with a dome shape, as beads, or as flat pieces used as inlays in turquoise jewelry. Turquoise may be the traditional birthstone for all you December babies but can be worn by all.
History of Turquoise
Turquoise is not just a modern fad. Its use in clothing and fashion dates back centuries to ancient civilizations that valued the brightness, color, and vividness of turquoise.
Stunning turquoise jewelry set in gold as inlay or carved has been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. Ancient Persians covered their palace domes with this sky-blue hue, representing the afterlife. Many cultures would adorn their weapons and battle gear with turquoise for protection and as a symbol of victory.
In the Americas, pre-Columbian Native Americans would mine the cerulean stone in present-day southwestern United States. Turquoise was used for spiritual ceremonies thought to connect Native Americans with spirits in the sky.
From their religious and spiritual symbolism in ancient cultures, turquoise made its way to Europe and North and South America. Modern-day silver jewelry studded with turquoise, however, originated in the 1880s after Navajo craftsmen began trading with white settlers.
Turquoise Use in Western History
From its ancient origins, turquoise has become a signature stone full of vitality and style. Western fashion has quickly adopted this stone into apparel and jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
In Western culture, turquoise is beloved far and wide. For Native American tribes, turquoise was a foundation in their culture and spirituality dating back as early as the 5th century. The unique color of the stone represented protection, power, wealth, and health for native cultures.
As European pioneers settled in the Americas, a fusion of the two cultures brought us the Spanish-imported silver and the precious and mystical designs of Native Americans through bright turquoise jewelry.
The Navajo tribe, in particular, were talented silversmiths, who redefined these European and Asian motifs into symbols of the Southwest. Modern-day turquoise jewelry owes a debt of gratitude to Navajo silversmiths who have made these pieces a cornerstone of Western jewelry.
Why Turquoise Is a Popular Choice for Modern Jewelry
Turquoise is one of the most beloved gemstones in the world, especially among jewelry collections, but what makes turquoise such a classic and popular option for contemporary Western and boho fashion jewelry?
A Talisman of Protection
Ancient civilizations cemented turquoise’s status as a gemstone with inherently protective characteristics. Ancient warriors would line their daggers and horse bridles with turquoise. It is also the national gemstone of Tibet, symbolizing good fortune and protection from harm. Turquoise is steeped in a rich history of craftsmanship and mysticism.
A Versatile Gemstone
Turquoise is usually paired with sterling silver or white gold but can also be found alongside yellow or rose gold options for a more modern and fresh look. It can pair beautifully with brilliant white diamonds and other colored gemstones to create a vibrant effect. Wear turquoise alone as a statement piece or mix and match it with a variety of colors, textures, and jewelry types.
Colorful and Fun
Turquoise jewelry speaks volumes with its vivid colors and rich Southwest appeal. turquoise jewelry is known for its breathtaking and bold designs that can liven up any outfit. If you want a dose of joy and life, turquoise just might be the cure for the summer blues.
How to Wear Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise jewelry can act as a subtle or bold statement piece that ties together your ensemble. However, knowing when and how to wear turquoise properly can be the difference between a fashion faux pas and being the belle of the ball.
Turquoise gives feeling blue a whole new meaning. Explore fun ways to style turquoise jewelry with these Western-inspired Montana Silversmiths turquoise jewelry pieces.
Make a Statement
A turquoise necklace is the perfect statement piece to give your outfit a splash of color and life. Embrace your love for the great outdoors with this chic sterling silver antler turquoise necklace, featuring a marquise-cut azure blue stone. Fluid, elegant, and graceful, this statement piece can instantly liven up your casual or workwear look.
Finger Party
Turquoise fashion rings are the guest of honor at this finger party. Create a curated selection of stacked turquoise rings to reflect your personality. Mix and match sterling jewelry such as thin and thick bands, small and large stones, engravings, and geometric designs.
Start your stack with this Starlight Starbrite stone turquoise silver ring featuring etched stars and round turquoise studs. Expand your stack with this open ring featuring an antiqued-silver finish and a dynamic design with etched florals and filigree.
Add this Rising Above Thunderbird turquoise ring in buffed silver tones. This ring features Thunderbird figures that represent protection, strength, and power. Your curated collection of talismans can blend together to create a completely personalized look.
Off the Cuff
Add an element of whimsy and color to your wrists with some turquoise cuff bracelets.
Shop for one-size-fits-most options from Montana Silversmiths like this Pursue the Wild Another Mountain turquoise cuff bracelet Design for the woman who lives and breathes the outdoors. It features a center design inspired by the rising turquoise moon above the mountain tops and is lined with an antiqued-sterling silver rope design.
Give your everyday outfits a primal touch with this Seeing Eye Aztec silver cuff. Its scalloped shape gives it a dynamic appeal and features brilliant turquoise studs framed by elegant roping detail and blackened etched accents in geometric designs.
Quiet Mode
If you have a more understated wardrobe or need to head into the office with a professional business look, a hint of turquoise can add a bright and vivid touch to your minimalist ensemble.
Keep it simple and chic with these Two-Way Concho turquoise post earrings that can be styled in a number of ways. The two-piece stud earrings feature a small turquoise stone earring set in a small silver finish concho.
Give your plunging or v-neck top a bright centerpiece with this Silver Tone Hollow Heart necklace featuring radiant side stones on the edge. The heart hangs at an angle with a large round bright blue turquoise stone sitting along its lower edge.
Gemstone Pairing
Turquoise can stand alone but can also be paired with complementing gemstones such as a chic pink quartz or an opalescent moonstone. Turquoise can also pair with aquamarine, lapis lazuli, and malachite.
Striking Contrast
The bold and blue color of turquoise can be elevated with a range of contrasting colors such as neon yellow, orange, coral, brown or lime.
Country-Style Denim
Turquoise jewelry and denim clothing items are a perfect match. Go for the country girl look with a pair of dark wash jeans, a pair of boots, and a touch of your bright and colorful turquoise jewelry.
Turquoise In Clothing
Turquoise can be found in everything from turquoise-colored business attire to accessories like bright turquoise handbags, and turquoise belts. A turquoise coat, turquoise blouse, turquoise dress, or turquoise jumper can be elevated with a feminine and subtle cream-colored piece of clothing, as well as solid colors such as white, black, and light grey.
Turquoise clothes can come in light shades or dark turquoise tints. All shades of turquoise can seamlessly pair with your favorite outfits and accessories to create a stylish look for women and men. Whether you go monochromatic or contrast colors, this blue-green stone can work in a simple or complex color combination in your everyday wear.
Add a Splash of Color to Your Wardrobe at Wilco
If your wardrobe is looking more like a black and white film, a subtle or statement piece of turquoise in your apparel or jewelry can give your outfit a colorful makeover.
Show us your favorite turquoise outfits, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and tag Wilco Stores.
