Turquoise

With a color so distinctive that is has lent his name to a hue, turquoise has been treasured for a millinnea. Ancient cultures including Tibetans Native Americans, Aztec, Chinese and Egyptian priced turquoise as much for its spiritual power than its beauty.


HISTORY & LORE:

Ancient Egyptians treasured turquoise: archeologist has found royal jewelry featuring this gem that is more than five thousand years old.
Chinese artisans were making turquoise carving three thousand years ago.
Turquoise is the national gem of Tibet, where it is considered to grant health, good fortune, and protection from evil.
The Aztecs and Incas regarded turquoise as more valuable than gold, Importing it from the mines far to the north in what is now the American southwest. Wearing turquoise was reserved for the Gods.
Apache warriors attached turquoise to their hunting bows to increase their accuracy. The spectacular turquoise jewelry made by the Navajo, Pueblo and Zuni people is highly priced by the collectors.
In the Smithsonian Institution, turquoise blaze along with 700 carats of diamond in the Marie-Louise Dialem, a gift of Napoleon to his wife for their marriage. Actually the diadem was original set with emeralds, which was replaced with fashionable turquoise in the fifties by Van Cleef & Arpels.
In European tradition, the gift of a turquoise ring means “forget me not”.
Turquoise is the birthstone for December.

QUALITY, VALUE AND AVAILABILITY:

Turquoise with fine quality with a dark pure “azure” blue and even translucent texture is difficult to find.
The most valuable color of turquoise is “SKY” blue.
Sometimes turquoise is cut with veins of matrix, like black spider-web veins in attractive patterns.
Turquoise is available in a wide range of beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays in all shapes and sizes.

SOURCES:

Turquoise is mined in the southwestern United States and China.
Arizona, Mexico, Colorado and Nevada produce most of US Turquoise.
Fine Turquoise was mined in PERSIA. Now know as IRAN. But famous source is no longer producing commercial quantities.

ROUTINE ENHANCEMENT:

Much of the inexpensive turquoise on the market today is “stabilized” with polymers or resin to keep it from discoloration. Sometimes dye is also used to improved color.

CARE AND CLEANING:

Turquoise has a relatively low hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale.
Natural turquoise often discolor overtime since most of turquoise is porous and can absorb skin oils and chemicals.
Never clean turquoise with chemicals and make sure not to touch the stone with metal cleaner, ammonia, perfume and cosmetics.
Do not clean turquoise with ultrasonic cleaner. High heat may cause discoloration.
Wipe turquoise clean with a soft dry cloth.

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