Jazzy Jewelry Jones

It was a long time before the first Europeans who landed on what is now the east coast of the United States began to move westward.  When the settlers moved west, under the doctrine of manifest destiny, they found a diverse population of Native American people.  These Native Americans had not mastered technology as the white settlers had, but knew more about the natural environment than most settlers ever would.  It was these Native Americans who introduced the settlers to turquoise jewelry. 

 

Whether a turquoise necklace, turquoise bracelet, or objects studded with turquoise, American settlers were captivated by these unique stones.  The only major deposits of turquoise outside the southwestern United States are located in Iran/Iraq, so the first time most settlers had seen turquoise was in America.  Today, turquoise jewelry is available from a number of private and commercial manufacturers, and is quite popular throughout the world.