Description
Egyptian Turquoise Sterling Silver Ring
Size P
The mining of Turquoise in North Africa is believed to date back at least to the First Dynasty when Egyptians sourced it from the coastal mines of the Sinai Peninsula. It’s plain to see why the striking appearance of what came to be known as Egyptian Turquoise was so popular with the Pharaohs, but they thoroughly believed it brought even more to their lives than stunning pieces of jewellery and ornaments.
It was thought to be a protector and bringer of good fortune for anyone who wore it, so it was the must-have stone for anyone of note in ancient times (and not only in Egypt; Turquoise’s charm had the Ancient Romans, the Aztecs and the Incas transfixed, too). The role that the gemstone played in Ancient Egyptian culture was championed by the Pharaohs who were believed to have worn it on a daily basis. Tutankhamun himself was a lover of Turquoise, so much so that a number of stones were set into his famous death mask, along with another cherished rock in Ancient Egypt, Lapis Lazuli.
The Goddess of Joy and Fertility, Hathor, was often referred to as the ‘Mistress of Turquoise’ as she kept a watchful eye over the miners who worked it in the south of the Sinai. What’s more, the Goddess of Justice, Maat, enjoyed a strong association with Turquoise as she symbolised the togetherness of the universe, so the gemstone really was at the core of Ancient Egypt’s belief systems.
The silver in my pieces come under the exemption weight, which is less than 7.78g, so therefore, they don’t require a hallmark. Anything over 7.78g, requires a hallmark by law.