Turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever mined, perhaps dating back to 6000 BC in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. It has been used for thousands of years as jewelry by the ancient Egyptians, who buried fine pieces with mummies, and by Native Americans, who combined turquoise with silver. The Aztecs fashioned elaborate turquoise masks. In North America, the Zuni people of New Mexico have created striking turquoise jewelry set in silver, once believing these protected them from demons.