Turquoise:
Turquoise was one of the first gems to be mined and although many ancient sites have been depleted, some are still worked today. These are all small-scale, often seasonal operations and due to the limited scope and remoteness of the deposits, most are worked by hand with little or no mechanization. Deposits are found worldwide. Some of the most notable mines are located in Iran (a region formerly known as Persia), Afghanistan, Australia, northern Chile, Cornwall, Saxony, Silesia, Turkestan, China, Mexico, and southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada). The deposits of California and New Mexico were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans using stone tools.
Turquoise is a hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate mineral. It is a cryptocrystalline mineral, meaning the structure is made up of microscopic crystals. Turquoise is opaque and has a waxy luster. It may appear semi-translucent in thin segments. Color is quite variable, ranging from white to a powder blue to a sky blue, and from a blue-green to a yellowish green. The blue is attributed to copper impurities while the green may be the result of either iron impurities or dehydration. Exposure to heat or sunlight is also detrimental to the color of the turquoise. The stone can be very porous and chalky, therefore it is usually treated prior to use in jewelry. The stones are “stabilized”, meaning they are treated with a resinous substance. Stabilizing the turquoise makes it less susceptible to chipping and keeps the color from changing due to contact with the oils in your body or moisture. Turquoise usually includes flecks of pyrite or is interspersed with dark, spidery yellowish-brown to black mineral veining known as matrix. Turquoise is rarely found without matrix, although Sleeping Beauty turquoise is found in the pure form. This rare and beautiful variety is found only in the Sleeping Beauty mine located in
Arizona. These stones are vivid sky blue.
Turquoise is a very soft stone with a hardness of never more than 6 (depending on the form) on the Moh’s scale.
§ Modern birthstone for December
§ Anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 11th wedding anniversaries
Myths and Therapeutic Properties:
The name Turquoise is said to be derived around the 16th century from the French language either from the word for Turkish (Turquois) or dark-blue stone (pierre turquin). It has been used widely for centuries and is one of the gems still used today.
Turquoise is also reputed to heal all kinds of ailments. New age healers use it for the skeletal, digestive and respiratory systems. It is said to help remove toxins from smoking and other pollutants from the body. The stone is also said to help improve your attitude as well as enhance creativity. It is reputed to bring you inner awareness and help strengthen friendships. Turquoise is reputed to help those who have trouble speaking in public, improve empathy and honesty.
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