For thousands of years, cultures throughout the world have used turquoise as a protection against harmful spells and evil. It has been worn as an amulet for protection, strength and good health, and is held sacred by many Native American tribes, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona. It is still considered to be a stone of protection on many levels, and can also be used to cleanse negative energy, including electromagnetic energy. It is calming and balancing, can stabilise mood swings, and is considered to be supportive when exhausted or overworked. It is believed by some to support intuition and psychic gifts. The colouration and properties of turquoise can vary, dependent on where it is mined.

From French 'turquoise', turkish (from the 13th c). The original material from the south slopes of the Al-Mirsah-Kuh mountains (Iran), found its way to Europe via Turkey. Earliest noted use was by the ancient Egyptians, and was described by Pliny under the name callais. Believed from the 13th c to protect wearer from injury from falling or stumbling, and in Persia was particularly used in the case of horses. Anistasi (The Ancient Ones) in Southwest USA considered the stone sacred, and there is some evidence that stones were carved to allow the entance of a guardian spirit. Apache medicine men prized it for its talismanic virtues, and were expected to possess a piece before receiving proper recognition

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