Beauty and Power: Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Turquoise is one of the most dazzling and alluring stones on the planet. This is probably why Native Americans and other indigenous peoples started making jewelry with it as long as seven-thousand years ago. There are many historical and cultural references to this beautiful, blueish-green stone. It is used in many different forms of jewelry currently, including turquoise hoop earrings.
Styles of Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Turquoise hoop earrings come in many different shapes and sizes, as they have for centuries. Turquoise hoop earrings may be heavy or light, accented with gold or silver, or large or small hoops. It all depends on the wearer’s personal preference. The stone in the turquoise hoop earrings may be inlaid within another material, or might be an actual piece of rock with an earring fitting on it. The possibilities range far and wide, and some turquoise hoop earrings can be considered works of art.
Native Americans and Turquoise Hoops Earrings: A Connection
Native American culture has long been known for its use of turquoise in clothing, jewelry, mosaics, etc. Native American peoples shaped the stone by rubbing it against stand stone, and prior to the 1850s, did not use metal in their jewelry making. They would polish the turquoise with fine sand and clay.
So were turquoise hoop earrings a fashion accessory of ancient Native Americans? Maybe. Turquoise hoop earrings are commonly produced today as a large array of beautiful jewelry, mostly associated with the Southwest and the Native Americans of that area. Wherever Native American jewelry is forged and sold, one can be sure to find turquoise hoop earrings.
Looking at Quality in Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Turquoise jewelry, including turquoise hoop earrings, can be judged differently according to quality of the stone and the manufacture. How do you know if your turquoise hoop earrings are of utmost quality? It is said that for turquoise to be what is considered the best, or “gem,” quality, the stone must be a pale, robin’s egg blue color, and a very hard stone.
Turquoise hoop earrings may have different shades and quality of turquoise, but it is still all very beautiful. The color of the stone in various turquoise hoop earrings may range from darker to lighter greens, all the way to various shades of blue. When buying turquoise hoop earrings, consider what you find beautiful.