In its natural state, turquoise looks like opaque, waxy chunks or veins within rock, ranging from chalky white to vibrant sky blue, blue-green, or yellowish-green, often with brown or black "spiderweb" matrix (veins). Its color depends on copper (blue) and iron (green/yellow), appearing as solid masses or within seams, varying greatly in hardness and quality from soft and porous to hard and polishable.
The color spectrum of turquoise spans from light to medium blue and extends to greenish blue. The specific hue depends on its chemical composition and the presence of trace elements. Copper imparts a blue coloration, while iron can introduce greenish tones.
Real turquoise is quite hard, so if you can scratch it easily with a sharp object, it's likely not the real deal. 2. Inspect the color. Genuine turquoise is rarely a bright blue – it's usually more of a greenish blue or pale blue.
The resulting turquoise ranges in color from chalky white to uniform, robin's-egg blue (common at Arizona's Sleeping Beauty mine) to spider-webbed blue green (found at New Mexico's Los Cerrillos mine).
They Look Just Like Turquoise
Most likely it is one of two other minerals, howlite or magnesite, that have been skillfully dyed to colors so similar to turquoise that it fools almost everyone (at least the first time they see it). The gray to black veining aids in the deception.
Deposits of Turquoise can be found in America, Afghanistan, Africa, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, Siberia, Tanzania, and Turkey.
Turquoise should not be allowed to get wet and should not be placed in sunlight. Exposure to either is likely to cause it to mark, lose colour or even crack.
Natural turquoise, which has not been treated or enhanced, is the most valuable. Stabilized turquoise, which has been treated to improve its durability and color, is less expensive but still highly sought after. Dyed or reconstituted turquoise, which is significantly altered, is the least expensive.
The scratch test is used to determine the resistance of a mineral to scratching against other minerals and surfaces. Genuine turquoise has moderate scratchability, whereas howlite and magnesite are softer stones and scratch more easily.
Real turquoise doesn't typically fluoresce under UV light. Fake turquoise or howlite, a common fake, often glows under UV light, which is another giveaway that it isn't genuine turquoise.
Hot Pin Test:
In this, a hot pin pressed against a hidden spot on the stone will melt the resin, and you will get the smell of burnt plastic. Always remember, real turquoise won't melt.
The Lander Blue Spiderweb Turquoise is the rarest and most in-demand turquoise. It comes from a very small mine in Nevada that has only ever mined 110 pounds (49.9 kg) of it!
The scratch test is one of the most popular ways to determine whether or not you're looking at legitimate turquoise. All you need to do is scratch the gemstone with your fingernail. Although turquoise is considered a softer gemstone, it is hard enough that a light scratch won't create any noticeable marks or blemishes.
Arizona. --In Arizona turquoise ranks first in terms of value of production and is also the best known of its gem materials. As stated earlier, nearly all important deposits of turquoise are located near copper occurrences or in copper deposits in arid desert regions of the world.
Isaiah 54:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli.
How much a turquoise stone is worth is a common question among turquoise collectors. The price of turquoise stones normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can range from $0.05 to $1000 per carat depending on the quality.
A1: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is rare due to the closure of the Sleeping Beauty Mine in 2012. Its vibrant blue color, lack of matrix, and the fact that it is no longer being mined contribute to its high value. Additionally, it's highly sought after by collectors and jewelers, increasing its price.
The United States, China, Mexico, Iran, and Egypt are known for turquoise mining. The United States is a primary source of quality natural turquoise. Mining locations can be mostly found in the Southwestern states of Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California.
Low grade turquoise is usually very soft and pale in color. The low Turquoise grades also include ugly colored Turquoise and Turquoise with ugly matrix patterns and too much matrix. The low Turquoise Grades are rated by C, D, and Chaulk Turquoise.
One simple method to test turquoise is through touch. Real turquoise tends to feel cool and smooth due to its mineral composition and natural weight. It has a solid, dense feel in your hand. Fake turquoise, particularly those made from plastic, resin, or glass, often feels warmer and lighter.
Scratch Test – Genuine turquoise is relatively soft (Mohs 5-6). If it's too hard or doesn't scratch with a knife, it might be plastic or glass. 3. Weight & Temperature – Real turquoise is cool to the touch and has some heft, while plastic fakes feel light and warm quickly.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes. Remove turquoise jewelry when applying lotions, perfumes, or household cleaners. Do not expose turquoise to chemicals, as it can damage or discolor the stone. Inspect rough turquoise regularly for damage or loose settings.
Will Baking Soda Hurt My Turquoise Jewelry? While baking soda is often considered safe as a household and general jewelry cleaner, as it's all-natural, it's not safe on all jewelry. You should avoid using baking soda to clean turquoise jewelry, just as you'd avoid using hot water, vinegar, and other harsh chemicals.
🚫 People with High Blood Pressure: Turquoise enhances energy flow, which may worsen hypertension. 🚫 Those Prone to Anxiety or Panic Attacks: The high vibrational energy may amplify anxiety symptoms. 🚫 Individuals with Weak Digestion: Some claim that turquoise can disrupt the digestive system.