An Ancient Gem
Turquoise is among the world's oldest gemstones and one of the four birthstones for December.
What Makes Turquoise Special?
Turquoise is a culturally relevant stone across the globe: from ancient Egypt, Persia, or Aztec tribes. Native Americans have been creating turquoise jewelry for centuries. Turquoise mining in the US dates back to as early as 200 BC. However, commercial mining in the US started around the 1800s.
What makes it special is the believed powers it holds. Turquoise is often considered to warrant good health, fortune, and protection from evil. It is often said that if a turquoise breaks, it's a warning sign of danger. It is also a connection to the spiritual world, as it is believed to connect the earth with the heavens.
Turquoise can have very specific uses as well. For example protecting from falls, especially from falls during horseback riding!
Is Turquoise Rare?
Turquoise is mined in many regions across the globe including Egypt, Iran, or Mexico. In the US, it is mined mostly in Nevada and Arizona with some deposits also present in Colorado, New Mexico, and California. However, the most desirable turquoise originates from Iran. These stones tend to have a true sky blue color, known as “Persian blue” in the trade. High quality turquoise, with few visible inclusions, is rare.
Turquoise 101
Technically, turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate, created when copper-rich groundwater reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum. Turquoise deposits often form in iron-rich limonite or sandstone, which is what creates the vein-like inclusions on their surface, also known as the stone's matrix.
The color can range from greenish-blue to sky blue. The origin of the stone will impact color. With a higher concentration of copper, turquoise looks more blue, while a higher iron content makes it appear greener.
While less included stones are considered more valuable, the inclusions may be appealing in certain designs, especially those inspired by traditional turquoise jewelry.
