Vintage Turquoise Jewelry is a fun item to collect and there is nothing more fun than rummaging through an old box or footlocker to discover a piece of vintage turquoise.
While Native American designs seem to be the most prevalent and the style we most often associate with turquoise jewelry, there are also many beautiful pieces, especially vintage turquoise rings, with a more traditional design.
This simple gem has a lot of history and folklore associated with it.
- Turquoise has been mined since around 6,000 BCE
- Egyptians considered this stone a symbol of purity
- Horsemen in Europe used to carry Turquoise as a talisman to protect them from falling.
- Turquoise is a lucky stone for Aquarians, and the birthstone for December.
For those of us who aren't lucky enough to find vintage turquoise jewelry, there are certainly many places to purchase it. The problem becomes knowing what you're getting from your comparison-shopping. This article serves as an introduction to buying Antique Turquoise Jewelry.
Quality Turquoise:
If you only think of Turquoise as blue - stop now. It has very pale varieties and others that move into a dark green hue. There are also very rare colors like red, yellow, white and brown.
The shinier / brighter the turquoise the newer it probably is. Similarly vintage jewelry did not use a "block" technique (which is actually resin mixed to appear like natural Turquoise).
Besides the appearance of the stone, realize that the Native American pieces of vintage jewelry will typically bear the simple word “sterling” if set in silver – no numbers or other details.
Eagle Eyes:
Since Turquoise was used globally in jewelry it can't be pigeonholed into a specific design motif. In order to recognize true vintage turquoise you'll need to determine the era and/or culture in which you're most interested and then become a fast study. When available, contact a trusted source if you're uncertain about a jewelry offering.
Of additional importance is becoming familiar with reputable sellers. There are many sites like eBay where a merchant's goods get reviewed by buyers regularly. Read those reviews and look at customer satisfaction carefully before you buy.
Safeguards:
If you find that you're unhappy with a vintage turquoise purchase, you can use the dispute function on your credit card (or PayPal) to protect yourself.
If you're interested in obtaining some lovely pieces of turquoise vintage jewelry take a peek at these fabulous eBay listings:
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| VINTAGE TURQUOISE AND SILVER RING SZ10 3 4 re listed from a few days ago | |
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$40.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 12m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Stretch Gracious Free Ship Nature Bangle Bracelet Xl1336 | |
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$7.50 Time Remaining: 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Nature Vintage Turquoise Fancy Stretch Gracious Free Ship Bangle Bracelet Xl1337 | |
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$6.50 Time Remaining: 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Classic Vintage Turquoise Silver Clip Earrings Japan | |
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$20.00 Time Remaining: 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Free Ship Nature Vintage Turquoise Tibet Silver Gracious Bangle Bracelet Xl1358 | |
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$6.50 Time Remaining: 2h 24m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Huge Heavy RARE Old Vintage TURQUOISE Sterling Silver RING size 8 | |
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$289.00 Time Remaining: 2h 25m Buy It Now for only: $289.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Old VINTAGE TURQUOISE Nugget Silver Bench Bead NECKLACE | |
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$389.00 Time Remaining: 2h 25m Buy It Now for only: $389.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 24 VINTAGE TURQUOISE MARBLE LUCITE 10mm ROUND BEAD 1979 | |
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$0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 33m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 12 VINTAGE TURQUOISE ACRYLIC 18X13mm HIGH DOME OVAL CABOCHONS 7221 | |
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$0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 34m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Gorgeous Vintage Turquoise Crystal Stone Peacock Feather Long Necklace Pendant | |
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$0.99 Time Remaining: 2h 36m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TURQUOISE AND S SILVER PIN | |
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$20.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 40m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage turquoise beaded necklace | |
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$1.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 42m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Wholesale Lot 5pcs Antique Silver Plated Vintage Turquoise Rings Cocktail R194 | |
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$7.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 46m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Silver Watchband Bracelet | |
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$65.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 41m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| vintage turquoise pendant for a necklace set in silver Southwest nice | |
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$13.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Amazing Picture Jasper Vintage Turquoise Fresh Water Shell Necklace | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 4h 2m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Amazing Vintage Turquoise Fire Mystic Quartz Necklace | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 4h 2m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Gorgeous Vintage Turquoise Crystal Stone Peacock Feather Short Necklace Pendant | |
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$0.99 Time Remaining: 4h 21m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SUPER NICE OLD TURQUOISE PENDANT OLD THANKS 925 | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 4h 27m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| NEW mixd BOHO vintage turquoise womens silver plated hook earring 20pair | |
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$0.99 Time Remaining: 4h 56m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| OLD VINTAGE TURQUOISE PENDANT NECKLACE WITH A 12 CHAIN | |
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$15.00 Time Remaining: 5h 6m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet 7 1 4 | |
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$64.59 Time Remaining: 5h 11m Buy It Now for only: $64.59 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Antique Turquoise Bangle Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 | |
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$1.57 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 20m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise stone and bead necklace | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 5h 21m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| vintage turquoise necklace 17stersil with ancient jade blue sodalite killer gemi | |
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$99.77 Time Remaining: 5h 38m Buy It Now for only: $99.77 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ANTIQUE TURQUOISE CABOCHON FILIGREE SILVER BRACELET | |
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$435.02 Time Remaining: 5h 40m Buy It Now for only: $435.02 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Tibet Antique Turquoise Stone Bead Butterfly Bracelet | |
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$7.89 Time Remaining: 5h 41m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Pair Antique TURQUOISE STERLING EARRINGS Green Dangling Stones For REPAIR | |
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$29.99 Time Remaining: 5h 58m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise aqua Green Nugget 7 Stones silver bead 16 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Nugget 17 Stones Heishi Bead 24 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Nugget Large Stone w silver bead Black Stone 24 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise aqua Green Nugget 3 Stones silver bead 18 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise aqua Green Nugget 11 Stones silver bead 19 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise aqua Green Nugget 5 Stones silver bead 15 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Nugget 9 Stones w brown silver Stone 22 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Nugget 21 Stones shell bead 24 Necklace | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 6h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage turquoise bracelet with unique pattern | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 6h 6m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Accented Sterling Silver Southwestern Cuff Bracelet 6 1 2 | |
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$32.29 Time Remaining: 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $32.29 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| STUNNING VINTAGE TURQUOISE STONE NECKLACE | |
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$7.91 Time Remaining: 6h 22m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage turquoise and red coral watch band | |
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$190.00 Time Remaining: 6h 27m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VTG Turquoise Liquid Silver Necklace w Indian Profile Pendant 70s | |
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$35.00 Time Remaining: 6h 31m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vtg Turquoise Blue Art Glass Silver Tone Bracelet | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 7h 5m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Crackle Lucite Bangle Bracelet | |
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$12.99 Time Remaining: 7h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise Swirl Lucite Bangle Bracelet Faceted | |
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$11.99 Time Remaining: 7h 10m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage TURQUOISE Stone AMBER GLASS Necklace Pierced Earring Set 28 Long | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 7h 21m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise 16 Necklace 13 Nugget Stones silver round Beads Aqua Green | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise 21 Necklace 15 Nugget Stones shell Beads Aqua Green | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise green aqua 24 Necklace 23 Nugget Stones brown shell Beads | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise 37 Necklace 35 Nugget Stones shell Beads Aqua Green | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Turquoise 29 Necklace 25 Nugget Stones shell Beads Aqua Green | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
