What is a turquoise stone?

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue.

What do turquoise stones symbolize?

Turquoise is a popular gemstone that has long been prized in many cultures. It's said to bring luck, peace, and protection, and it's also one of the birthstones associated with the month of December. Turquoise provides more than just the beauty of its blue color.

Is turquoise worth anything?

Turquoise prices normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can reach $1000 per carat for the best quality stones. Real turquoise of the top quality costs even more than gold, so it is definitely worth the money. Moreover, turquoise has a multi-layered history that can be traced to ancient Egypt and Aztec culture.

How rare is a turquoise stone?

"Turquoise of this quality is unique and extremely rare. For every 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of turquoise mined, only about 25 pounds (11 kilograms), or 25 percent, are considered jewelry quality, and of the 25 pounds, only about 1 pound (0.4 kilograms) is considered high-grade or gem quality.

How can you tell if a stone is real turquoise?

Turquoise is naturally a soft stone, but howlite (the turquoise imitation), is even softer. This means that if you scratch your stone and it scratches easily, you most likely have a piece of howlite. But if it's very difficult to scratch your stone, you've got genuine turquoise!

Top 10 things to know about Turquoise

Why is turquoise so expensive?

Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. Government restrictions and the high costs of mining have also impeded the ability to find gem-quality turquoise. Very few mines operate commercially and most of today's turquoise is recovered as a byproduct of copper mining.

What does turquoise rock look like?

Turquoise can be semitranslucent to opaque, with a color that usually ranges from light to medium blue or greenish blue. It's often mottled and sometimes has dark splotches. It might also have veins of matrix running through it (matrix is a remnant of its surrounding rock).

Is turquoise rarer than diamonds?

By definition of rarity (not market size) turquoise is rarer than diamonds. Diamonds deserve their place in the world of gemstones as a commerce gemstone. They are an easy gemstone and subject to learn about and grade.

What is the rarest color of turquoise?

Lander Blue Spiderweb Turquoise is some of the rarest Turquoise on earth and in high demand, Buyers must beware of impersonators, the highest grade of Chinese Spiderweb Turquoise is often sold as Lander Blue Turquoise, it takes an experienced professional to detect true Lander Blue Turquoise.

Where is turquoise most commonly found?

Turquoise has been mined all over North America for hundreds of years, but its richest deposits have always been found primarily in the southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada. California has also been a popular source of the opaque blue gemstone over the years, with mines found in San Bernardino and Inyo Counties.

What are some fun facts about turquoise?

5 interesting facts about Turquoise

• Turquoise is the only gemstone to have an official colour named after it. ...
• Turquoise can range in colour from bright blue to Tibetan green. ...
• It is known as the 'Sky Stone' by Tibetan and Nepalese people. ...
• It's easy to spot the difference between Turquoise and a fake Howlite imitation.

Is turquoise a healing stone?

Turquoise is one of the oldest healing stones in history. For centuries it has served as a healing tool for whole civilizations. It was one of the first gemstones to ever be mined and dates back to 6000 BC in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.

Does real turquoise change color?

Turquoise is a compound that includes metals such as aluminum, copper or iron. Water and oil can cause some of these metals to oxidize, or in other words rust. As a result of oxidation, the stones can actually change color. Blue turquoise that contains copper can change from a light blue to a dark green.

What are the benefits of wearing turquoise?

Benefits of wearing Turquoise gemstone

• It helps to get rid of bad luck and evil energy surrounding you.
• It helps in improving your relationship as it boosts understanding amongst partners.
• It also cures problems like alcoholism, depression, mental stress, high BP etc.
• It Increases your physical strength and boosts immunity.

Who can wear turquoise stone?

Despite its goddess status, turquoise is a powerful gem. Sagittarius, Pisces, and Aquarius, according to Vedic astrology, should wear this gemstone. Apart from that, people of other zodiacs can also wear it; turquoise is the birthstone of Sagittarius, according to western astrology.

Does turquoise protect you?

Known as the stone of cleansing, turquoise is a natural guard against anything that isn't serving you, your body, or your mind. This bright blue crystal is one of the oldest stones known to humankind, and was used as a talisman by kings, religious leaders, and soldiers.

What is a Sleeping Beauty turquoise?

Sleeping Beauty turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. The host rock is granite. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is the favorite of Zuni Pueblo lapidaries and silversmiths for the purity in color. This mine was one of the largest in North America.

Is purple turquoise real?

Often called "The Purple Turquoise" sugilite is actually not a turquoise at all. It was first discovered in Japan in 1944 and was named after the man that discovered it; Ken-ichi Sigi. The first specimens were a yellow color and not purple at all.

Is pink turquoise real?

Genuine Turquoise has a bright blue-green color, while fake Turquoise aka howlite can be a wide range of colors, including green, black, brown, pink, and even purple.

Is turquoise jewelry a good investment?

Investment quality Turquoise has become one of the most valuable colored gemstones, it has been increasing in value more than 30% per year for several years.

Is the world running out of turquoise?

The bottom line is that, at this date, there is not enough Turquoise being mined to fill the domestic or the international demand. Since China put a moratorium on the mining of Turquoise, we now have a worldwide Turquoise Crisis!

What is green turquoise called?

Lime Green Turquoise, Calcosiderite or Variscite has been found near Tonopah Nevada at the Royston Mine, Blue Gem Mine, Tortoise Mine, Miss Moffet Mine, Damele Mine and very small deposits have been found in various other Mines in Nevada.

How can you tell if a stone is real?

While transparent and flawless gemstones are hard to find, look for any cracks, scratches, and black spots inside the gemstone before you zero in on your purchase. You can also consult a qualified gemologist to find out if the gem is natural or not.

How can you tell if a rock is raw turquoise?

The natural raw turquoise color depends upon the amounts of copper and iron, which will determine whether the stone is more blue or green. The naturally occurring ore in which real turquoise grows creates beautiful brown matrix webbing in the blue stone that many find desirable.

Can turquoise get wet?

Can you shower with a turquoise jewel? As mentioned before, water and humidity are not recommended. This mineral from dry and arid environments will absorb liquids and chemical products (water, soap, cream, ...) and the colour will be altered.