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You are here: Home > dZi & other Ancient, Antique & Rare Beads > Turquoise


Below you will find a selection of antique and rare quality turquoise beads. All of our turquoise is sourced in the Himalayan regions. In traditional Tibetan medicine, turquoise or Yu is valued for its many healing properties. It is believed to absorb toxins from the body and aid healthy liver function. It can also be used to treat fevers, eye disease and is an antidote to poison. Turquoise is also worn as an amulet to give protection whilst dreaming.

Tibetans had several sources for turquoise in antiquity, including: Iran, China and Tibet. It is believed that Tibetan turquoise was sourced from Kongpo in the South East and Dargyal in the North East of Tibet. Apparently the best source was located in the Gangchen mountains of Nari (also spelled Ngari) in Western Tibet. The Tibetan rulers of this region paid a regular tribute of turquoise to the kings of Ladakh (Laufer 1913, Clarke 2004).

The majority of the antique turquoise beads on our website are around 100 to 300 years old, however, some are certainly much older. Each bead is sold on its individual merits.



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Rare Turquoise & Silver Amulet Necklace
Rare Turquoise & Silver Amulet Necklace
Our Price: £1,200.00

An absolutely awesome necklace strung with beautiful turquoise and a stunning old silver amulet. The stringing alone involved many hours of loving work. Also includes old silver and bronze spacer beads. Turquoise of this quality has almost disappeared from the marketplace in recent years. This is without doubt one of the most impressive necklaces we have ever offered.

A heavy piece that is beautifully strung on strong and secure cord and ready to be worn.
Approx 100 turquoise beads.
Beads sourced in Nepal
approx 30 inches length
old silver amulet approx 80 mm x 35 mm
Condition: Excellent
230 grams
Himalayan Bead Necklace
Himalayan Bead Necklace with Antique Coral & Turquoise
Our Price: £995.00

A really beautiful necklace comprised of wonderful Himalayan beads. Tibetans have valued turquoise and coral for many centuries, and they are still an important part of Tibetan culture. Each bead is flanked by old bronze spacers. This is a great selection of beads that are quickly vanishing from the marketplace.

Antique Turquoise, Antique Coral & Conch (Chank) Shell with bronze spacers.
length of strand 20 inches
Sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal from Tibetan traders.
Antique Turquoise & Coral Bead Necklace
Antique Turquoise & Coral Bead Necklace
Our Price: £650.00

This is a beautiful piece lovingly strung with antique turquoise, natural red coral and bronze spacer beads. This is a necklace packed with gorgoues beads and is for the real bead connoisseur.

Beautifully strung on strong and secure cord and ready to wear.
Sourced in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal
18.5 inches length
Condition: Excellent
Antique Coral, Turquoise & Amber Necklace
Rare Quality Bead Necklace with Antique Coral, Turquoise & Amber
Our Price: £495.00

A beautiful necklace with antique natural red coral, antique amber, antique jasper and old turquoise. The turquoise is also inlaid with coral and lapis and flanked with old brass spacers. A stunning piece with many hours of work involved in selecting the beads and threading.

length of strand approx 28 inches

Beads sourced in Nepal from Tibetan traders.
Age of beads 100 to 300 years
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace
Rare Turquoise, Coral & Conch Necklace
Our Price: £395.00

A beautifully strung large necklace with authentic turquoise, natural antique red coral and conch shell beads. Each bead is flanked by tiny bronze spacer beads.

Condition: Excellent

37 antique turquoise beads (12 mm to 17 mm)
25 antique red coral beads (completely natural and undyed) (5 mm to 8 mm diameter)
12 oval indian chank shell beads (12 mm)
1 ancient jasper disc bead.

Beads sourced in Nepal
approx 40 inches length
Antique Silver & Turquoise Pendant Bead
Antique Silver & Turquoise Pendant Bead
Our Price: £250.00

A wonderful large antique bead housed in old silver. Displays a wonderful patina.

46.60 mm x 31.45 mm
Origin: Tibet
Huge Tibetan Turquoise Bead
Huge Tibetan Turquoise Bead
Our Price: £250.00

A huge natural freeform turquoise bead. Displays great colur and intricate matrix.


55.60 mm x 51.21 mm
Sourced in Tibet
Age: 100 to 300 years
70.5 grams
Fine Quality Turquoise Bead
Fine Quality Turquoise Bead
Our Price: £150.00

A beautiful large turquoise bead with a vibrant colour.  In Tibet turquoise or Yu is valued for its many healing properties and has been worn since ancient times.

approx 44 mm x 28 mm
Condition: Very good.
Sourced in Nepal from Tibetan bead traders.
Rare Quality Turquoise Bead
Rare Quality Turquoise Bead
Our Price: £150.00

A very beautiful turquoise bead with superb colour and matrix. In the Himalayan regions the bluer pieces of turquoise are valued above all others.

31 mm x 25 mm
Sourced in Nepal from Dolpo traders.
Antique Turquoise Pendant Bead
Antique Turquoise Pendant Bead
Our Price: £150.00

A wonderful item with a gorgeous turquoise front and backed with copper to allow stringing. Would make an excellent focal bead on a necklace.

approx 26 mm x 19 mm
Condition: Excellent
Origin: Sourced in Nepal.