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Probably one of the most recognized semiprecious gemstones in existence, turquoise has been popular since prehistoric times. This stone is a hydrated aluminum copper phosphate that often contains iron. Its name comes from French pierre turquoise, meaning "Turkish stone," a reference to where Persian material passed on its way to Europe. It is considerably softer than quartz and thus is usually treated in some way for stability. It occurs naturally in shades ranging from sky blue to grey-green, usually in locations where copper is hidden in the soil in high concentrations. The blue color is caused by copper, while the green color is caused by iron or chromium. Because color varies depending on the surrounding soil makeup, many turquoise references include the name of the country, state or mine where they were found. References like this may include Arizona turquoise, because many mines in Arizona, Nevada and Northern Mexico have the proper mineral conditions to produce a light, bright blue, with small to medium amounts of matrix. The famed Sleeping Beauty mine is in Globe, Arizona. Many qualities and types of "turquoise" are available on the market today: High-grade natural turquoise is the hardest grade and takes the best polish. Many mines produce stones with distinctive color or matrix whose origin can be identified by an experienced person. Enhanced turquoise is the common name for medium-grade turquoise treated by a proprietary process that impregnates and hardens the stone with vaporized quartz. The process will not work on low-grade "chalk" turquoise and is undetectable by normal testing methods. (For details, please see the Spring 1999 issue of Gems & Gemology.) Stabilized or treated turquoise is treated with a plastic resin. Most nugget and some heishi products are made from real turquoise that has been stabilized. Stabilization allows genuine but lower-grade turquoise to be used in jewelry. Even when a stone has been stabilized, its color can be changed over time by pollution, soap, skin lotion and oil. Wax-treated turquoise: Much of the turquoise from China is wax impregnated. The process works like stabilization. The paraffin treatment only affects the surface. Reconstituted turquoise: This term describes small pieces of stone mixed with blue dye and plastic binder. Most products marketed under this name should really be labeled as "simulated block." Block turquoise: A mixture of plastic resin and dyes that is produced in loaf-size blocks. This turquoise contains no actual rock of any sort. Block is used heavily for inlay, heishi and beads. It is sometimes mistakenly called "reconstituted." Imitation and simulated turquoise: Several stones can be dyed to look like turquoise, including howlite, magnesite and dolomite. Glass, plastic, faience ceramic and polymer clay also can look like turquoise. Turquoise has been mined for eons, since at least 6000 B.C. Early Egyptians wore the stone, and many turquoise pieces have been found in their tombs. The ancient Aztecs of Mexico believed turquoise to be a holy stone and mere mortals were not worthy of wearing this precious stone; it was reserved for the worship of their gods. Persian philosopher Al Kazwini wrote that "the hand wearing a turquoise and using it as a sealing stone will never be poor." Turquoises were used to decorate turbans, often set in a border of pearls, to protect the wearer from the evil eye. The gemstone did not reach Europe until the Crusades. Turquoise is considered a stone of wholeness, promoting the sense of unity of the self and oneness with all that surrounds us. It is said to make one feel at home in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Turquoise is said to open all chakras, permitting the attributes of love, completeness and communication to flow through the body and increasing spiritual bonding. It is especially connected to the fifth (throat) chakra and is believed to assist in opening the fourth (heart) chakra. It also is believed to assist the absorption of nutrients while strengthening the immune system and stimulating tissue regeneration. Crystal healers recommend it for detoxification of alcohol, poisons or radiation. Turquoise is mined in the U.S.A. (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico), China, Peru, Mexico, Persia (Iran), Tibet, Siberia, Africa, Australia and Europe.
AA-grade Turquoise
This is high-grade natural turquoise. The stone is usually from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona, and it becomes processed into beads in India, China or Vietnam. Be aware that it will absorb body oils and, over time, become green.
| | A- to B-grade Turquoise
This is commercial-quality turquoise from various sources. Beads in this category are usually stabilized or enhanced to harden the stone. These beads are produced from rough turquoise mined in China, Mexico or the United States (at the Kingman mine in Arizona). These beads are produced from Chinese, Mexican or American rough turquoise. They are well-made beads, uniform in shape and size at a median price. This makes them a good, less-expensive substitute for Sleeping Beauty turquoise (AA-grade). Be aware that the color will slightly darken with wear as the stone absorbs body oils.
| | African Turquoise
This stone is not true turquoise, but actually a natural jasper found in Africa. It has a matrix structure similar to that of turquoise, and is a light bluish-green. The matrix is usually dark or black. It is an interesting substitute for a true turquoise.
| | Apple Green Turquoise
aka Mojave Turquoise
Fresh-picked! One of our newer gemstones, apple green turquoise gets its lush color from dye applied to natural blue turquoise. Its surface is waxy and speckled like a real apple's skin, and its color is so intense, you can almost taste it! This gemstone is resin-stabilized and has a beautiful brown, white and dark green matrix.
| | Block Turquoise
This is manmade, imitation turquoise, from a material known as block.
| | Chinese Turquoise
This category is a variety of Chinese turquoise beads mined and processed in the Hubei Province of mainland China. Most Chinese turquoise is enhanced, which can include wax treatment, resin stabilization and/or dye. These beads are usually less regular than our other gemstones, both in size and appearance; while beads on each strand will be fairly uniform, other strands in the same stock number will be different. If you need an exact size, please let us know when you order and we'll make a note to send you a strand as close as possible.
| | Lime Turquoise
The perfect accessory for sipping margaritas! We believe that this gemstone from China's Hubei province is a magnesite (Mg CO3) or similar white stone that has been dyed green. Some of the beads display a very light matrix, while others show none. Lime turquoise is harder and cut better than the typical true turquoise from Hubei.
| | Mexican Turquoise
These turquoise beads have good color (various shades of blue and green) and a light matrix. Our Mexican turquoise comes from the Pino Chueco ("Crooked Pine") mine in Sonora, Mexico. The mine has produced this turquoise, with color similar to the famed Sleeping Beauty turquoise, since the mid-1980s. These stones are very unique in that they are found as free-form nuggets in clay material, rather than in rock veins. They have been stabilized. These beads are not always available.
| | Yellow Turquoise, Hard
aka Flower Jasper, Flower Turquoise, Chinese Howlite
The harder version of the two stones known as "yellow turquoise," this stone is more likely a jasper or serpentine. We don't think this stone is dyed or enhanced. It is yellow with brown, green and red, much more varied than the dyed Hubei product (below). The black matrix in yellow turquoise is often attracted by a magnet and is probably hematite.
| | Yellow Turquoise, Soft
From China's Hubei province, this soft stone is a natural turquoise but is usually dyed to achieve its deep yellow hue. We also believe it is wax-treated to harden the surface, or possibly stabilized with a resin.
Courtesy of Rings & Things Wholesale of Spokane, WA
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