Turquoise Opal Hummingbird Pendant Earring Turquoise Jewelry Set EOP3PO02

This Hummingbird Turquoise Jewelry set consists of solid sterling silver Hummingbird dangle earrings and pendant all inlaid with genuine Turquoise and Cultured Opal. The hummingbird dangle Turquoise earrings measure 1 and 1/16" from the top of the bale to the bottom of the tail. The Turquoise Pendant measures 1 and 5/8 inches from the top of the bale to the bottom of the tail and comes with an 18" sterling plated chain.

Turquoise jewelry has a long history dating back thousands of years. The name turquoise probably came from the French word pierre tourques meaning Turkish stone as turquoise was traded to Europe from Persia through present day Turkey. Another possibility is that the name came from the French description of the gemstone pierre turquin meaning dark blue stone. Today, the United States is the largest producer of turquoise especially in Arizona and Nevada.

The use of turquoise by Native Americans began about 1000 years ago when turquoise was found in Mount Chalchihuitl in present day New Mexico. While turquoise was used for centuries by the ancient Pueblo peoples, the silver-and-turquoise jewelry style known today was developed by Navajo artists in the late 1800’s. Pueblo and Navajo artists continue to use turquoise in traditional and modern turquoise jewelry many times using animals in their designs.