Turkish evil eye beads such as the ones shown below are worm to prevent bad luck such as calamity or death when someone with an evil eye looks at you. This is because in Turkish culture, just like in culture of most Mediterranean countries, it was believed that some people such as blue-eyed people, old ladies, malformed people and strangers, had the power to case evil spell by a mere glance.
Turks believe that envy of others can cause bad luck, intentionally or unintentionally. Evil eye beads, or Nazar Boncugu, are hung on taxis bumpers, they are pinned to the clothes of babies, they are built into foundations of new buildings, they are incorporated into codes of websites, and they are worn as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other accessories.
The evil eye jewelry making industry in Turkey is flourishing because although not as many people believe in the evil eye as they did in the past, people still wear jewelry that has the evil eye for aesthetic reasons. Another reason the trade is flourishing is international trade – people who would never have known about the evil eye are buying because information is readily available online and because of the ease of online purchase.
Turkish beads are of a high quality because in most parts of Turkey, the creation of these eye beads is considered a tradition. The art is passed from one generation to the other.
Evil eye beads are made from glass in Turkey, but there are acrylic and plastic beads for kids. Turkish evil eye beads are made for men and women alike and today, jewelry makes have had to be versatile to incorporate gold, diamond, and other precious stones and metals in the jewelry.