Turquoise, apatite and sterling silver bracelet

Turquoise, apatite and sterling silver.

Turquoise; its name comes from the French "pierre turquoise", meaning "stone of Turkey", as it was initially introduced to Europe by Turkish traders. The first civilizations to value turquoise were the ancient Egyptians, who used it in jewelry and amulets, believing in its protective properties. The Persians also believed that turquoise had the power to deflect misfortune. It was widely used in ornaments by pre-Columbian civilizations of Central America, such as the Aztecs and Incas, who considered it a sacred stone associated with divinity.

Apatite's name derives from the Greek "apatein," meaning "to deceive," due to its resemblance to other gemstones. Used by the ancient Egyptians for jewelry, apatite was also present in ancient Greece, where it was associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite.