Turquoise Meaning: Properties, Benefits and History of the Sky Stone

Few stones have been loved for as long as turquoise. Pharaohs were buried with it, Persian poets wrote about it, and the peoples of the American Southwest have treasured it for more than a thousand years. That robin's-egg blue is so famous it gave its name to a colour. Turquoise is the traveller's talisman and the stone of good fortune, a little piece of sky you can carry with you.

In this guide we explore what turquoise means, its spiritual meaning, properties and benefits, its long history, how to tell real turquoise from imitations, and how to wear and care for it.

✧ Shop this stone ✧

Fancy carrying a little turquoise magic with you? Every piece is made in Cornwall, vegan and cruelty free.

Lime Green & Pink Mojave Copper Turquoise Vegan Silk Necklace£29Pink Mojave Copper Turquoise Vegan Silk Necklace£29

See all turquoise jewellery →

What Is Turquoise?

Turquoise is a copper aluminium phosphate that forms where water trickles through copper-rich rock in dry, desert landscapes. Copper gives it its blue; a little iron pulls it towards green. The dark veins you often see running through it are called matrix, the host rock the turquoise grew in, and some collectors prize a spidery web of matrix above a clear, even blue.

Its name comes from the old French pierre turquoise, meaning "Turkish stone", because it first reached Europe along trade routes through Turkey. The finest old turquoise came from Nishapur in Persia (modern Iran), and today it's also mined in the south-western United States, China, Egypt and Mexico. Famous American mines such as Sleeping Beauty and Kingman in Arizona each have their own instantly recognisable look.

Turquoise Meaning

Turquoise is a stone of protection, good fortune and friendship. Across cultures that never met, people arrived at much the same idea: wear turquoise and you'll be watched over. It was carried by travellers, tied to horses' bridles and given as a token of friendship. It's also a stone of wisdom and truth, said to help you speak honestly and kindly. We think of it as an open-hearted, adventurous stone that wants you to go out and see the world.

Turquoise Spiritual Meaning

Spiritually, turquoise is a bridge between earth and sky. It's linked with the throat chakra, the centre of communication and self-expression, so it's a favourite for anyone who wants to find their voice. Many people use it as a protective amulet, and in some traditions it was said to change colour to warn its wearer of trouble ahead. It's also associated with calm, balance and a sense of peace that comes from being true to yourself.

Turquoise Properties and Benefits

• Protection: one of the oldest protective amulets in the world. See our guide to crystals for protection.
• Good fortune: long given as a gift for luck, success and safe travels.
• Communication: associated with speaking your truth clearly and kindly.
• Friendship: a traditional token of loyalty and lasting friendship.
• Calm and balance: its sky-blue colour is linked with a peaceful, open mind. See our guide to crystals for calm.

The History of Turquoise

• Ancient Egyptians were mining turquoise in the Sinai more than 5,000 years ago, and Tutankhamun was buried with turquoise-set jewellery.
• Persian rulers decorated palaces, domes and daggers with turquoise from Nishapur, and the Persian word for it, firouzeh, means victory.
• The Aztecs used turquoise in ceremonial mosaics and masks.
• For the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, turquoise is a sacred stone, associated with the sky, water and protection. Their silver and turquoise jewellery is world famous.

Turquoise Chakra and Zodiac Signs

Turquoise is the stone of the throat chakra. It's most closely linked with adventurous Sagittarius, and it's also the traditional December birthstone, so it suits December-born Capricorns too. Our December birthstone guide compares it with tanzanite, and you can find more pairings in our zodiac crystal guide.

Turquoise, Mojave Turquoise and African Turquoise

A few names can be confusing, so here's a quick guide.

• Natural turquoise: turquoise as it comes from the ground. It's usually stabilised (sealed with a clear resin) so it can be cut and worn without crumbling, which is normal practice.
• Mojave turquoise: made at the Kingman Mine in Arizona by bonding turquoise with a copper matrix, so each piece has bright veins of metallic copper. It comes in bold colours, from classic blue to pink and lime green, and you'll find it in our lime green and pink Mojave turquoise necklace and pink Mojave turquoise necklace.
• African turquoise: not turquoise at all, but a blue-green jasper with its own meaning as the stone of evolution. Read all about it in our African turquoise guide.

How to Use Turquoise

• Wear it near your throat: a turquoise necklace sits right by the throat chakra, perfect for days when you need to speak up.
• Travel with it: slip a piece into your bag or wear it on a journey, as travellers have for centuries.
• Give it: turquoise is a traditional gift of friendship and good luck, and a lovely December birthday present.
• Pair it: turquoise with lapis lazuli for wisdom and truth, or with moonstone for a softer, intuitive feel.

Is My Turquoise Real?

Turquoise is one of the most imitated stones in the world. The most common fake is howlite or magnesite dyed blue: look for colour pooling in cracks and dips, or very white patches where the dye hasn't reached. Plastic and glass imitations feel light and warm and look too perfect. Real turquoise has subtle variations in colour and a waxy rather than glassy shine. Stabilised turquoise is genuine turquoise that has been sealed to make it tougher, and is perfectly normal. If you're buying something special, ask the seller where the stone comes from and how it has been treated.

Cleansing and Caring for Turquoise

Turquoise is soft and porous, so it needs a little kindness. Keep it away from water, perfume, lotions, oils and cleaning products, and put it on last when you're getting ready. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing, store it on its own, and keep it out of strong sunlight and heat, which can change its colour. To cleanse its energy, choose gentle, dry methods such as moonlight, sound or smoke. Our guide to cleansing crystals and guide to charging crystals explain each one.

Explore more blue stones in our guides to lapis lazuli, sodalite and aquamarine, or look up any stone in our A-Z Crystal Guide.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.

Turquoise FAQs

What does turquoise symbolise?

Turquoise symbolises protection, good fortune, wisdom and friendship. It has been worn as a protective talisman for thousands of years.

What is turquoise stone good for?

Turquoise is associated with protection, luck, safe travels and clear, honest communication. It's linked with the throat chakra.

Is turquoise the December birthstone?

Yes. Turquoise is the traditional December birthstone, alongside tanzanite, blue zircon and blue topaz.

Can turquoise get wet?

It's best to keep turquoise dry. It's porous, so water, soap, perfume and oils can soak in and change its colour over time.

Is African turquoise real turquoise?

No. African turquoise is a blue-green jasper. It's a lovely stone in its own right, known as the stone of evolution.

What is Mojave turquoise?

Mojave turquoise is made at the Kingman Mine in Arizona by bonding turquoise with a copper matrix, giving it bright metallic veins. It comes in several colours.

Which zodiac sign is turquoise for?

Turquoise is most closely linked with Sagittarius, and as a December birthstone it also suits December-born Capricorns.