Beautiful blue turquoise stones bring to mind the American Southwest and the cultural influences of native American tribes. Turquoise is one of the oldest known semiprecious gemstones and is still making a big impact on today’s fashion scene. It is the birthstone gem for December and the traditional gift for a five-year marriage anniversary.
Given as a gift, turquoise is said to bestow good luck, wealth, and happiness on the receiver. Ancient peoples revered turquoise, and no one was allowed to wear the stone; it was reserved as a gem to be offered to the gods and to decorate their created images. Artifacts inlaid with turquoise, gold, and other precious gems have been unearthed from ancient tombs in Egypt that date to 5500 B.C.
The History of Turquoise
Turkish tradesmen brought the lovely gem, along with many other gems, spices, bolts of cloth and other valuable goods, with them across the commercial trade routes to Western Europe, where the blue-green gemstone quickly became fashionable.
The ancestors of the Aztecs and other tribes of Mexico, Brazil, and Peru migrated from the flat grasslands of what is now Mongolia and brought their reverence of turquoise, and the skills to work the rock, with them. After the demise of the Mayan empire, the Pueblo people kept this reverence alive. (The conquering Spaniards were obsessed with gold and paid no attention to turquoise). The gem was held in high esteem by the Apache and other native American tribes. No self-respecting medicine man was without the desirable gemstone which was believed to have healing properties.
Turquoise Was Considered To Have Supernatural Properties
Turquoise was believed to overcome the glare of the Evil Eye. In Middle Eastern countries, people still weave turquoise into the manes and tails of their beasts of burden to bring good luck and protect the animal from missteps. In the 13th Century, horsemen carried the gem as a talisman to protect the horse from overheating due to physical exertion and keep the rider from harm. Fifteenth Century physicians carried powdered turquoise to create an antidote to counter the effects of poisons and banish pain resulting from demon possession. Gazing upon turquoise was believed to soothe eyestrain and reduce eye inflammation. Modern healers still credit turquoise with spiritual power to draw out negative vibrations and open the heart to giving and receiving.
The Color Of Turquoise Varies With Mining Locations
Turquoise deposits are mined in many Middle Eastern countries, Australia, Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and a few Eastern European countries as well as the American Southwest. The deposits are formed in the earth by water trickling through rock containing copper, aluminum, iron, and other minerals. Chemical reactions create these deposits, which can range in color from a gorgeous sky blue, the most desirable color, to shades of teal and lighter blue-greens, to apple green. The blue color is enhanced by copper deposits. Aluminum deposits will create a green shade; the more aluminum contained in turquoise, the greener it will be. Zinc will turn the stone yellow-green, and is the rarest color. This yellow-green turquoise is produced by the Orvil Jack mines in Nevada and is quickly gaining popularity throughout the world.
The gem has a matrix of lines running throughout, formed by the chemical bonds created over millions of years. The matrix can be black, yellow, or brown, depending upon the rock that is bound to the turquoise, and adds to the beauty of the gem. Spider webbing refers to very fine lines of matrix running throughout the turquoise, and is highly prized. Each piece of turquoise is distinctive from another stone. The finest turquoise in the world is mined in Iran and is a clear blue color, and is the only natural turquoise without any matrix.
The hardest turquoise is found near the surface of the earth where it has had a chance to dry and cure. It is 5-6 Mohs on the hardness scale, with 10 being the hardest. Most turquoise is soft and chalky, too porous to be used unless it is treated.
Turquoise Treatments
Exquisite turquoise, which is hard enough to be used in its natural state without treatment, is exorbitantly expensive. It may be cut and polished but no other artificial changes are made to the gem. When worn next to the skin, it absorbs natural oils which create a natural patina over time. Most turquoise on the market has been chemically treated to stabilize the color and harden the stone. Stabilized turquoise has been infused with an epoxy resin, which fills the pores of the stone. When cured, the stone is hard enough to be cut and polished, which allows lower grade turquoise to be used in jewelry.
Reconstituted turquoise is created by mixing pulverized turquoise with resin and blue powder. Larger turquoise chips may be processed in this manner and referred to as Compressed Nugget.
Block turquoise is made from blue dye and resin, and contains no real turquoise. It is a man-made stone that comes in many colors, and may even have a matrix formed in it.
Much turquoise from China, who supplies much of the turquoise used in the jewelry industry, is wax treated. The surface of the stone is impregnated with paraffin, which deepens and stabilizes the color.
Dyed stones are naturally occurring stones that resemble turquoise when they are dyed blue. Other simulated turquoise stones may be made from faience ceramic, glass, plastic, or polymer clay.
Before paying premium prices for turquoise jewelry, know the reputation of the person you are buying it from. They should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the jewelry.
Handle Turquoise Jewelry With Care
Since turquoise is a soft gem, it requires careful handling to keep it beautiful. Don’t store it with other jewelry where it may get chipped or scratched. Avoid exposing it to solvents, perfumes, hair sprays or other chemicals, which can cause the stone to discolor, lose its shine, or become brittle. Clean your turquoise jewelry in warm water and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.
While the popularity of turquoise jewelry declined a generation ago with its association with the hippie era, today it has been catapulted into fashion circles. Many top jewelry and fashion houses are using it in their new lines, and whether it is set in a traditional native American setting or more contemporary style, turquoise jewelry is back with a vengeance.
(written by J. E. Davidson)
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