Just wanted to share this.
I have been doing a workshop for rock hunting for children and families for many years at a major annual local event. People from across the world attend.
This year I expanded my give away rocks and fossils to include some very nice ones.
I passed around a 4” very nice piece of recent Turquoise from Nevada. Talked about Turquoise. Where the color comes from, where it is found, etc.
Then drew a name for someone to receive a Turquoise nugget from Nevada. The winner, a 6 year old started crying. He had always wanted a piece of Turquoise.
His Mom started crying too. Later she thanked me so much for doing this for him.
I had no idea when I drew his name that he even knew what Turquoise was.
He also loved the bracelet I was wearing which had Turquoise on it. The ring, I made in the 1980’s with Turquoise.
It is up to us older people to teach others about Turquoise and other stones. To cultivate a love or encourage others to continue their love.
Oh that is so awesome! I’ve been trying with my children and grandchildren. One son likes it but not to the extent I do. Then there is my 1st granddaughter who was my bling queen when she was very young. Turquoise was one of her first words. She always checked my jewelry before looking at my face. Then she started kindergarten for special needs kids (Downs) and was learning so much and having new friends that she wasn’t paying much attention anymore. She is 4 1/2 now and when I was there a couple weeks ago she climbed up next to me, got my arm and pointed to my cuff and said turquoise.
I was a Human Services Professional for 35 years. Now semi retired.
Awesome about your Granddaughter. I think children with challenges are drawn toward the colors blue and green. Drawn to Turquoise which is a very powerful comfort stone.
Most of my nieces and nephews haven’t been interested in it, except for one of my grand nephews who has a huge rock collection, but his dad is the Colorado National Monument park superintendent so they spend a lot of time outdoors. He’s always loved my jewelry, and last time we visited them he was saying he wished he had a piece of turquoise for his collection. I bought him one for his b day present. He was so excited he carried it around all day.
When our son was small he was invited to a classmates birthday party. I called this kids mom since I really didn’t know him, and asked her what his passion was - she said rocks. Hallelujah! With grandparents as rockhounds, boy did I have lots of rocks. I gathered up a whole box of unique looking rocks, added a magnifying glass and a identification book, and voila’, a present was born. She later called and said it was his favorite gift by far. Hopefully it will spark a lifetime of loving cool rocks.
Then she started kindergarten for special needs kids (Downs) and was learning so much and having new friends that she wasn’t paying much attention anymore. She is 4 1/2 now and when I was there a couple weeks ago she climbed up next to me, got my arm and pointed to my cuff and said turquoise. 