What do u kno 'bout TURQUOISE && NAVAJO ??

Question

I mean like where u find 'em.... how u kno it's real... why r they used ..... and how .... jus' give me n e answer!!!!

Answer 1

This page will tell you about the mineral, where it is found, etc.

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/phosphat/turquois/turquois.htm

This one will tell you something about Navajo art, including the use of turquoise.

http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work/romac/art.htm

Answer 2

Interestingly, turquoise comes from places all over the world. Within the United States, the color can vary from light blue to a green color. There are several books on the subject.
As for artists, the old jewelry styles are being done by contemporary artists. So it is hard to tell what is old or new.
The Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ is probably one of the best places to start. Every year they have an art show featuring all the art from jewelry, weaving, pottery, carving, basket weaving, and so on. They are one of the museums that specialize in telling the stories about all the Native peoples- not just the Navajo. It is a place that I would recommend you start with to build your knowledge.

Answer 3

You use to be able to find turquoise around the Navajo Reservation, however they have all been completely mined. The only turquoise left are really low quality. By that, I mean they have a lot of impurities in them. Older Navajo jewelry contain near pure turquoise and the difference is obvious.

You can see the difference between turquoise mined from around the reservation and mined from elsewhere. Turquoise from the reservation has a deeper shade of blue to it, while turquoise from elsewhere is a light blue. Typically, the light blue turquoise is imported from places such as China.

══════ Non-reservation with impurites ══════
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Turquoise.pebble.700pix.jpg

══════ Near the Reservation ══════
http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0295bzt9.jpg

Here is an excerpt which discusses where turquoise was mined.

"Extensive evidence of prehistoric mining operations have been found in several areas to include: The Cerillos and Burro Mountain regions of New Mexico, the Kingman and Morenci regions of Arizona and the Conejos area of Colorado."

═ Source ═
http://www.skystonecreations.com/History2.html
═══════

Turquoise has several meanings and uses in Dinè(Navajo) culture. First, it was symbolic of the sky for obvious reasons. It was also associated with the direction South IIRC. It's also associated with males because in Navajo mythology(Dinè Bahane') First Woman created men with genetalia made from turquoise.

Turquoise also has religious significance in Dinè(Navajo) ceremonies. However, that's beyond the scope of my knowledge.