Everything You Need to Know About Turquoise Gemstones
Explore the mesmerizing world of turquoise gemstones nature’s stunning blue-green treasure. Discover its rich history, ancient uses, and cultural significance across civilizations. Learn why turquoise has been cherished for thousands of years and how it continues to captivate with its unique beauty.
Throughout history, turquoise has been highly valued. Ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, and Chinese used it in jewelry and decorative items. Egyptians admired its blue color, believing it symbolized regeneration. Mesoamericans created mosaics and jewelry from turquoise, while the Chinese used it for ornamental carvings. Native Americans saw it as a protective stone, and Tibetans have cherished it for its supposed healing properties for centuries.
Identifying Turquoise Gemstones
Turquoise has a sky blue color, blue-green color, apple-green color, and a waxy to matt finish. Turquoise can also be identified by its Mohs hardness, which ranges from 5 to 6. Mohs hardness distinguishes turquoise from other similar gemstones like chrysocolla and variscite, as well as smithsonite, and can help to differentiate turquoise from imitation or synthetic materials.
8 Different shades of turquoise you know in 2024
Sky Blue Turquoise
Description: Sky blue turquoise is the most cherished and sought-after shade of turquoise. It’s known for its pure, bright blue color, often described as “robin’s egg blue.” This shade is free from any green or yellow tones, making it the quintessential turquoise color that most people imagine when they think of this gemstone. You may also like different type of Gemstones.
Origin: This particular shade is famously associated with the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona, USA. The mine produced some of the world’s finest sky blue turquoise until it was closed in 2012.
Value: Sky blue turquoise is highly prized, especially when it is free of visible matrix (the natural webbing or pattern found in some turquoise). Its vibrant color and rarity make it one of the most valuable types of turquoise.
Greenish-Blue Turquoise
Description: Greenish-blue turquoise is a blend of blue and green, giving it a teal-like appearance. This shade occurs when there is a mix of copper and iron in the stone. The copper gives turquoise its blue color, while iron contributes to the green tones.
Origin: This shade is commonly found in the Kingman mine in Arizona, which is known for producing a wide variety of turquoise colors, including this greenish-blue color.
Value: The value of greenish-blue turquoise can vary depending on the balance between the blue and green tones, as well as the presence of matrix patterns. Stones with a more balanced, vibrant color are generally more valuable.
Robin’s Egg Blue Turquoise
Description: Robin’s egg blue is a soft, light blue shade that is similar to sky blue but slightly paler. This color is often associated with high-quality Persian turquoise, which has been prized for centuries for its beauty and uniformity.
Origin: Persian turquoise, particularly from Iran, is known for producing this delicate shade. It has been used in jewelry and decorative arts since ancient times.
Value: Robin’s egg blue turquoise is highly valued, especially when it comes from Persian mines. The smooth, even color with minimal matrix makes it one of the most desirable forms of turquoise.
Green Turquoise
Description: Green turquoise has a more pronounced green color, with only a hint of blue. The green coloration is due to a higher concentration of iron and a lower concentration of copper. This shade can range from a soft, muted green to a more vibrant, almost apple-green color.
Origin: Green turquoise is often found in the Carico Lake mine in Nevada, USA, which is known for its rich, green-colored stones.
Value: Although green turquoise is less traditionally popular than blue varieties, it has its own unique appeal and is valued by collectors for its distinct color. The value can vary based on the intensity of the green and the quality of the stone.
Blue-Green Turquoise
Description: Blue-green turquoise is a balanced mix of blue and green, resulting in a harmonious and earthy turquoise color. This shade is quite common and can be found in various turquoise-producing regions.
Origin: The Royston district in Nevada, USA, is famous for its blue-green turquoise, which often features a striking contrast with brown or black matrix.
Value: The value of blue-green turquoise depends on the depth of the color and the quality of the matrix. Stones with a well-balanced color and attractive matrix patterns can be quite valuable.
Dark Blue Turquoise
Description: Dark blue turquoise is a deeper, more intense shade of blue, sometimes with hints of purple. This shade is rare and highly desirable, especially when the color is rich and even throughout the stone.
Origin: The Morenci mine in Arizona is known for producing dark blue turquoise, which often features beautiful pyrite or quartz inclusions that add to its appeal.
Value: Dark blue turquoise is among the most valuable shades, particularly when it is free of matrix or has unique inclusions that enhance its beauty.
Light Blue Turquoise
Description: Light blue turquoise is a pale, almost pastel shade of blue. It has a softer appearance compared to the more vibrant sky blue or robin’s egg blue varieties. Light blue turquoise often has visible matrix patterns, which can add character to the stone.
Origin: The Number 8 mine in Nevada is known for producing light blue turquoise with distinctive spiderweb matrix patterns.
Value: While light blue turquoise is generally less valuable than darker shades, it is still appreciated for its subtle beauty. Stones with interesting matrix patterns can be particularly desirable.
White Turquoise (Howlite)
Description: White turquoise, also known as howlite, is a white stone with gray or black veins. Although it is not true turquoise, it is often dyed to imitate turquoise’s colors. In its natural state, howlite is used as a decorative stone and is valued for its calming energy.
Origin: Howlite is found in large quantities in Canada and the USA.
Value: White turquoise (howlite) is much less valuable than genuine turquoise, especially when it is undyed. However, it is still popular in jewelry making and for its metaphysical properties.
These various shades of turquoise offer a wide range of options, each with its own unique charm and significance. Whether you prefer the classic sky blue or the more unusual green Colors, turquoise remains a beloved gemstone with a rich history and enduring appeal.
Origin and Turquoise Gemstones Sources
Turquoise is typically found in the form of a botryoid (a type of grape-like mass or nodule in a fissure). The best quality of turquoise can be found in northeastern Iran, but it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, Argentina, and Australia, as well as Brazil and China, as well as in Israel, Mexico, and Tanzania, as well as the USA.
Determining Turquoise Gemstone Value
Turquoise Color
The only gemstone that is named after a color is turquoise. Turquoise sometimes mixes with malachite and chrysocolla to create a mottled blue and green color. The pure blue turquoise found in the USA is made up of iron instead of aluminum, so it’s a mix of both turquoise and chlorcosiderite. Because it’s made up of iron, turquoise is green in color.
Pure blue is very rare, and most turquoise is interspersed with brown veins, dark grey veins, or black veins. The veins can be thin or dense. The veins are either host rock veins or other minerals. Turquoise that is made up of veins is called a turquoise matrix.
The most common turquoise color is sky blue. Other popular colors are blue-green and apple-green.
Turquoise Clarity and Luster
The color of turquoise varies from transparent to opaque, although translucent materials are very rare. Turquoise has a waxy-to-matte luster. The majority of turquoise contains dark-grey to brown to black veiny deposits of matrix or minerals. Veiny deposits can be very small or very large. The most common type of turquoise with veiny deposits is the translucent, pure, vein-free turquoise. Veiny turquoise can also have attractive patterns which make it desirable. A good example of this is “spider web Turquoise” (also known as Cobweb Turquoise matrix) which has beautiful spider-like patterns.
Turquoise Cut and Shape
The Turquoise earrings, necklaces, and brooches are cut en cabin, while necklaces and bracelets are cut into oval cabins or fancy cabins. Turquoise belts and rings are also cut en cabin. Because turquoise is a softer gemstone, it is carved into decorative objects and used as inlay. Most Turquoise beads, also known as spherical beads, can be used to make bracelets and earrings, as well as necklaces. Turquoise chips and tumble pieces can also be used as inlays.
Turquoise Treatment
Due to its porous nature, turquoise can sometimes be coated with polymers wax or even plastic to improve its color and toughen its surface. It can also be oiled or paraffinated, colored, or treated with copper salt to enhance its color.
Imitation Turquoise is created from dyeing Chalcedony, howlite, Powdered Turquoise, glued Turquoise, Glass, Porcelain, Plastic, Neolite Turquoise, Neo Turquoise, Neo Turquoise, Vienna Turquoise, Dark Matrix Turquoise, Reese Turquoise, Synthetic or Imitation Turquoise Gemstone, All reputable Gem Traders declare any enhancement and treatment of Turquoise Gemstones and should inform Buyer of Imitation Material.
Metaphysical and Alternative Crystal Healing Powers
Turquoise is one of the oldest and most traditional talismans or amulets in the world. Turquoise has been used as a talisman for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptians to Mesoamericans to Native Americans to Tibetans. Some believe that turquoise protects the wearer from harm, while others believe that it brings good fortune or longevity. In addition, some cultures attribute the color of turquoise to a person’s health; its color will fade when worn by someone in poor health and become deeper and more vibrant when worn by someone who is in good health.
In modern times, turquoise provides protection and is useful for career and travel. It helps in leadership and clarity of communication. In physical terms, turquoise helps to reduce migraines and benefits the brain, eyes, ears, neck, lungs, and throat.
It is associated with peace and balance, particularly between men and women. In traditional Hindu beliefs, turquoise can be associated with cleansing Ajna (third eye chakra) and Vishuddha (throat chakra). Ajna is associated with the pineal gland, pituitary glands, intuition, and intellect. Vishuddha is associated with purification, wisdom, and verbal communication in the ear, neck, and throat areas. Turquoise is traditionally the birthstone of December and is a zodiacal gemstone for the Sagittarians. It carries water energy in feng shui.
Turquoise Gemstones and jewelry
Tribal and ethnic jewelry with turquoise is very popular, especially in the native american and Tibetan styles using silver, but it looks just as beautiful when set with yellow precious metal. For example, Egyptian-inspired jewelry is made with turquoise. Large-colored turquoise gems make for bold designs, while turquoise chips and small beads make for delicate designs. Due to its cool color, turquoise is a great summer gemstone, and it can be made in any style, be it wire-wrapped or beaded, or in an antique style. For example, Cartier accentuates turquoise with a cabochon in a yellow-gold cocktail ring. Bulgari inlay turquoise with clashing color gemstones and a diamond accent, also set with yellow gold. It can also be used in men’s jewelry, such as rings or cufflinks, or as an embellishment to men’s accessories, like leather belts.
Note: You should buy colored gemstones by weight, not by carat. Colorful stones have a different weight-to-size ratio. Some are bigger than diamonds by weight, while others are smaller.
Care and Cleaning Turquoise Gemstones
Due to its porous nature, turquoise needs to be carefully cared for to keep its color and shine. It is sensitive to heat and can turn a dull green in 250 degrees Celsius heat. Exposure to direct sunlight, sweat, oil, perfumes, detergents, or other chemicals can cause the turquoise color to deteriorate. It would be wise to take off your rings before washing your hands or doing household chores. Also, when dressing, put on your turquoise jewelry last and take it off first when undressing to avoid exposure to hair spray, perfume, or similar cosmetics.
While turquoise is known for being fairly tough, it is also relatively soft at a Mohs scale of 5-6. It is softer than most gemstones but with proper care, jewelry and ornamental items can last for generations.
Turquoise is quite sensitive to high pressure, and high temperatures, and harsh household chemicals such as bleach and sulphuric acid should be avoided. The majority of dyed materials can be cleaned with warm soapy water. Dye or impregnate the stones with a small area to test for stability. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the stones and rinse well to get rid of soap residue.
conclusion
In conclusion, the everlasting beauty, cultural relevance, and symbolic value of turquoise gems never cease to enchant and inspire. Whether valued for its vivid hues, therapeutic qualities, or spiritual associations, turquoise is still a well-liked gemstone that will continue to symbolize beauty and safety for many years to come.
FAQs About Turquoise Gems:
Turquoise is valued as a precious gemstone because of its distinctive hue and cultural significance, particularly in Native American jewelry and artwork.
In many cultures throughout the world, turquoise is a valuable sign of healing, wisdom, and protection. For thousands of years, it has been utilized in ritual artifacts, jewelry, and amulets.
Yes, exposure to sunshine, chemicals, or skin oils can cause changes in the hue and durability of turquoise gems. The color and integrity of turquoise jewelry can be maintained with the right handling and preservation.
Turquoise gems can lose their color or become unstable when they are exposed to chemicals, sunshine, or skin oils. Jewelry made of turquoise can retain its color and integrity with the right handling and storage.
A lot of jewelry designs, such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants, frequently employ turquoise. It creates striking and fashionable items for both casual and formal wear when paired with silver, gold, and other metals.
