Steeped in history, myths, and even magic, the turquoise is a blue-green gemstone prized by various cultures for thousands of years, including the Egyptians. The gemstone remains popular today, with thousands of tons of stone extracted each year for use in jewelry. It is often set in rings or cut into beads and used for bracelets and necklaces, alongside gold and silver.
Many books have been published on turquoise, covering its history and place in culture, including the remarkable Sky Blue Stone: The Turquoise Trade in World History (2014) by Arash Khazeni. In this book, Khazeni notes that "the blue of turquoise, according to the Javahirnama, made it a celestial land, an amulet of victory, as well as a natural healing substance and an eye medicine." Turquoise is a "strengthening stone" and, throughout history, it has been revered as a talisman for kings, shamans, and warriors. In his book, Khazeni describes how New Mexico became the "land of turquoise" after the discovery of mineral veins in the Burro Mountains and, notably, in the Azure mine.
The ancient Egyptians mined turquoise from the Sinai Peninsula over 7,000 years ago and, since then, its popularity has continued to grow for use not only in jewelry but also as a decorative ornament, for art, and as a gemstone used for spiritual healing. It is one of the most popular stones in the world.
How to Identify Turquoise
Turquoise is a very distinctive stone thanks to its striking blue-green color, which is often interrupted by yellow or brown spots depending on the quality of the stone. In its raw form, turquoise can be difficult to identify because, at first glance, it appears to be a rock speckled with brown, yellow, and gray. However, if you look very closely, you will notice vibrant spots of blue or green seeping through the surface.It is when buying polished turquoise gemstones that the true identity crisis begins. According to research, more than 90% of turquoises on the market are dyed howlite. Howlite is a very absorbent white veined stone that can be easily dyed to mimic turquoise, as well as to create vibrant turquoise look-alikes, which is why you need to be extremely careful when buying turquoise. First, look at the appearance of the stone to check that the color is not too uniform. The color of turquoise varies more than that of other popular gemstones. Generally, even in jewelry, real turquoise appears as a mix of blue, green, light and dark gray, and even yellow tones. Turquoise is not uniform. It is also a durable stone, which means it should not scratch easily and the color should not come off.
The Different Colors and Types of Turquoise
Although bright blue and consistently colored stones are the preferred and most desirable type of turquoise, they are rare and, therefore, very expensive. Often, the most appreciated shade of blue is called robin's egg blue or sky blue. However, after blue, the most sought-after color is a blue-green shade, while stones with brown and yellow accents are less prized. It is the iron deposits, rather than aluminum, that give turquoise a darker color with yellow and brown spots.Turquoises with a strong matrix (or veins) are generally less sought after by manufacturers and consumers, which is why many manufacturers try to cut turquoise so that the veins are not present in the finished stone. However, some like to see the matrix, which is often present in the form of gray or black veins.
In addition to being classified based on the appeal of its color, turquoise, and especially American-origin turquoise, is given a name determined by its unique characteristics. For example, Ajax turquoise, mined from the Ajax mine in Nevada, is light blue with dark blue veins and often features emerald green and brown spots. Similarly, Black Window turquoise, also mined in northeastern Nevada, is rather light green or mint-colored and features dark gray or black spiderweb-like veins.
Turquoise varies from mine to mine. There are hundreds of types of turquoise in the world.
Where is Turquoise Found?
You can find turquoise in dry climate regions around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Iran, Chile, China, and Tibet. The appearance of the stone often varies from mine to mine, making the consistency of turquoise rare. Some of the most famous turquoise mines are found in New Mexico, including the Little Chalchihuitl mine in Los Cerrillos. The turquoise found at Little Chalchihuitl is known for its light blue-green color and often has a gray or brown matrix. Next, Nevada is a hotspot for turquoise mining, with many well-known sites, including the Ajax Mine and the Royston Turquoise Mine, both of which produce turquoises ranging from light blue to emerald green with distinct brown spots. Other hotspots include Hubei in China, which is the country's main source of turquoise.Healing Properties of Turquoise
Among other things, it is the healing properties of turquoise that make it so popular worldwide, today as it was thousands of years ago. Turquoise is a "strengthening stone" and is considered a good all-around healer. The gemstone helps reduce symptoms of exhaustion and depression and stimulates the immune system to keep you fit. It is also an anti-inflammatory, which is one of the many reasons it became an essential element for ancient wounded warriors. On an emotional level, turquoise helps balance your mood and encourages peace and calm, as well as forgiveness and self-acceptance.In Summary
In addition to being an incredibly beautiful gemstone, turquoise is extremely powerful both physically and mentally. When buying turquoise, including turquoise jewelry, always make sure you are buying the real stone. Add turquoise to your life to boost your confidence and increase your happiness.