Turquoise Re-Defined

Turquoise has always been my favorite stone. I grew up in the midwest but traveled to the southwest many summers as my grandmother lived in Arizona. Throughout those trips, I was very influenced by the Navajo crafts and turquoise jewelry available on the roadside. I remember seeing all of the turquoises spread out on the blankets … it was like magic to me.

As an adult I've lived on the east coast in urban settings, so turquoise is not exactly at the center of people’s wardrobes as it is in the southwest. But turquoise is still my favorite stone! This is what has driven me to design the Everyday Turquoise Collection.

I want the beautiful, traditional turquoise stones and rings that I remember from my childhood; but I want them translated into a more diverse collection introducing non-traditional design elements, to work into more of the east coast fashions and personalities.

Everyday Turquoise Collection

The “By The Book” rings are exactly that -- by the book for the classic, southwest Navajo Turquoise ring.

The “Smartie Ring” is a youthful ring -- a ring you can wear in an office on the hill or whatever. Its shallow and easy to wear but it’s still a substantial, strong -- beautiful piece of turquoise.

The “Soul Ring” is similar in that it has both gold and silver -- it’s already not the western look. This ring is very elegant though and the green turquoise is very soulful.

The “Seaside Ring” is inspired by the Mediterranean and Persian Turquoise which used the prized, robin’s egg blue turquoise and is also set in gold.

Turquoise has been valued and used in adornment for thousands of years all over the globe. (Turquoise beads have been found dating back to 5000 B.C.!) Turquoise is more prized than any other stone maybe -- symbolizing wisdom, riches, and protection. For nearly a thousand years, Native Americans have used Turquoise in jewelry and to guard burial sites. Many believed their minds would become one with the universe when wearing turquoise. Apparently, turquoise -- worn on the body or used in ceremonies -- signified the god of the sky alive in the earth.

In my mind … everyone should have some turquoise in their jewelry collection. Which is your favorite? Do you have any stories about turquoise or when you first saw turquoise? Do you wear turquoise? Is it a big part of your jewelry collection or small? If you were to add one piece from the Everyday Turquoise collection to your jewelry wardrobe … which ring would it be? 

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