The name turquoise is believed to originate from the French phrase "pierre turquoise" meaning "Turkish stone" because it was brought to Europe by Venetian merchants who first acquired it in Turkish bazaars. Turquoise is one of the earliest known stones to be used in jewelry. Pharaohs of Early Egypt wore them and beads dating back to 5000 B.C. have been found in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). In the 17th century A.D., turquoise pieces inscribed with passages from the Koran and Persian proverbs were valued amulets. It was used as jewelry in ancient Siberia, around the Fifth and Sixth century B.C. During the Middle Ages, they were popularly used as decoration of vessels and covers for manuscripts. And it was again popular as jewelry during the Renaissance.
Turquoise varies in color from greenish blue, through robin's egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque. It is plentiful and available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays.
Turquoise is associated with good fortune, success and believed to bring prosperity to its wearer. It is also considered by some as a love charm. When received as a gift, the turquoise symbolizes a pledge of affection - Shakespeare even used this lore in "The Merchant of Venice".