Old Pawn Green Turquoise Necklace with Jocla

Old Pawn Green Turquoise Necklace with Joclas measures approx. 25" in total length (20" nkl, and 5" for the jocla).  Silver hook closure.  The demand for green turquoise has increased. In fact, there are several green turquoise varieties that are now considered to be some of the top ranked turquoise available today, including many of Nevada's turquoise and also China's 'Skyhorse' and 'China Mountain' varieties.  Green turquoise is highly sought after by jewelers and collectors. The mining for green turquoise has drastically slowed down since the 1990s due to depleting sources. Thus, many are now buying it as an investment. Green turquoise is thought to possess all the same metaphysical properties as other turquoise varieties. It was especially popular among Native Americans. Some believe that turquoise possesses protective properties. The ancient Tibetans believed that turquoise carried strong healing powers. In Chinese feng shui, turquoise is believed to carry the energy of water. For those who follow Western astrology, it is the stone of Sagittarius. For modern birthstone followers, turquoise is often worn as a traditional birthstone for December. Turquoise is colored by traces of copper, the same element responsible for the green-blue color of paraiba tourmaline. Its greens can range from shades of bluish-green to apple-green or lime-green. Generally, if turquoise forms with less copper and more aluminum, the material tends to be green. A traditional Pueblo jewelry adornment, a jacla is two loops of heishi that were originally earrings and sometimes fastened to the bottom of a stone necklace as a pendant-like attachment. Jacla is Navajo for “ear string”. The Navajo spelling is the most commonly used version of the word. Jocla is also common but jackla is a phonetic mis-spelling. Although jaclas are attributed to the Rio Grande Pueblo Indians, they were traded with other tribes so have become associated with the Navajo as well. They are seen in vintage photos being worn by members of all southwest tribes, both men and women. In the oldest style necklaces, the jacla is a pair of loop earrings tied onto the necklace.