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Turquoise Variations, Care and Buying Advice
What do you think of when you hear the word turquoise? I think of the American
Southwest, where turquoise has been a part of Native American tradition for
thousands of years.
Turquoise has been mined in many places throughout the world. Clear blue Persian
turquoise it thought by many to be among the finest turquoise. Mines in India
produce green turquoise. Chinese mines are currently selling a great deal of
turquoise in varying colors to the jewelry industry. Mines in the southwestern
US, many family owned, yield turquoise in a variety of colors and qualities.
Turquoise Formation
Turquoise forms when water percolates through rocks that contain copper,
aluminum and other minerals. A chemical reaction takes place that results in
deposits of what we know as turquoise. That's a simplified way of describing a
process that takes millions of years and only happens when a complex set of
conditions come together.
Why is Turquoise Different Colors?
The blue in turquoise is enhanced when copper is present. If the area where
turquoise is formed contains more aluminum, the turquoise will shade to green.
When zinc is present, the deposits are a yellow-green color, a rare combination
that so far has been found in only a few areas, including the Carico Lake and
Blue Ridge mines in Nevada. (See turquoise being mined.)
There are many varieties of this
beautiful stone. It is mined in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado,
Mexico and China.
Why Are There Dark Markings in Turquoise?
That's the matrix, the rock that the turquoise formed in. When stones are cut,
some of the matrix remains bound to the turquoise. Matrix color varies because
turquoise can form in different types of rock.
*Black matrix may be iron pyrite
*Yellow matrix could be rhyolite
*Brown is probably iron oxide
*The term spider webbing refers to stones with thin lines of matrix distributed
throughout them
Is Turquoise a Hard Stone?
Hardness of turquoise used for jewelry usually varies from 5-6 on the Mohs
scale. The hardest turquoise is usually found nearest the surface of the earth,
where it's had a chance to dry, or cure. Softer turquoise is chalk-like -- too
soft and porous to be used unless it's treated.
Common Turquoise Treatments
Stabilized Turquoise
An epoxy resin or other substance is infused into the pores of the turquoise. No
longer porous, its color remains the same over time. Natural turquoise develops
a lovely patina as its worn and absorbs oils from our skin.
Stabilization allows designers to use poorer-quality turquoise that might
otherwise not be suitable for jewelry.
Color Treatments
Chemicals are used to enhance or change the color of turquoise.
Other Turquoise Treatments
Other techniques are used to turn soft, porous turquoise into a usable product.
Watch out for terms like reconstituted, which describes turquoise chips that
have been mixed with resin then molded into shapes.
Most of the turquoise found in today's jewelry has been treated or enhanced in
some way, and there's nothing wrong with that as long as you know it is treated
and pay a suitable price for it. If jewelry designers had to rely on only high
quality, natural stones, high prices would prohibit many of us from owning any
turquoise at all.
What is Natural Turquoise?
Natural turquoise may have been cut and polished, but no artificial changes have
been made to the gems. Color may change over time as body oils and other sources
of moisture are absorbed into the stones.
Only high quality turquoise can be used in its natural state.
How To Care for Your Turquoise
Handle your turquoise jewelry carefully to avoid scratching it. Don't store
turquoise with harder gemstones or other materials that might rub against it and
cause damage.
Keep turquoise away from high heat and chemicals such as oils, perfumes, and
household cleaners. Even stabilized turquoise can be affected by a constant
bombardment of chemicals.
Clean your turquoise in warm, sudsy water and dry it immediately with a soft
cloth. Avoid commercial jewelry cleansers.
Turquoise Buying Tips
Any time you pay a premium price for jewelry you should be sure the person you
are buying it from is reputable and knowledgeable about all aspects of the item.
We tend to become attached to our turquoise jewelry. Choose turquoise because it
speaks to you, not because it is the current fashionable color with the
currently-popular amount of matrix. Wear it often and you'll never give it up.
Reference: Turquoise and Turquoise Jewelry by Carly Wickell
