Turquoise

Turquoise is a sky-blue or green translucent to opaque basic aluminum phosphate that contains copper. It has been prized as a gemstone for millennia. The name "turquoise" comes from the French "turqueise", meaning "Turkish stone", because it was first transported to Europe via a Turkish nation. The color that we recognize as turquoise was named after this gemstone.

Turquoise was used by the ancient Egyptians and Aztecs as a jewelry gemstone and decorative stone. King Tutankhamun's burial mask and tomb was inlaid with turquoise. The ancient Egyptians believed that the color blue was a symbol of regeneration, so turquoise was treasured for both decorative and superstitious purposes. The Mesoamericans created turquoise mosaics and the Chinese carved turquoise into ornaments. Turquoise was also used by Native Americans in works of art and jewelry, some of whom believed that it possessed protective properties. The Tibetans believe in the healing properties of turquoise and have valued turquoise jewelry for centuries.

Turquoise is sometimes mistaken for variscite. However, variscite is typically greener. Chrysocolla can be confused for turquoise, but turquoise is harder and has a waxy or matt luster, whereas chrysocolla tends to exhibit a vitreous luster.

Varieties and trade names of turquoise are listed below:

Eilat stone - A greenish-blue mixture of chrysocolla, turquoise and malachite or other copper minerals, which is mined from copper mines near Eilat, Israel.

Kingman turquoise - Good colored turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine, near Kingman, Arizona.

Navajo turquoise - Turquoise that comes from South West America with brown or black veins.

Persian turquoise - Iranian turquoise of high quality that tends to be pure sky-blue in color.

turquoise picture

Turquoise Gemstone Properties

Color: Turquoise

Hardness: 5 - 6

Specific Gravity: 2.31 to 2.84

Refractive index: 1.610 - 1.650

Turquoise Color & Occurence

Turquoise is the only gemstone that has a color named after it. Turquoise is sometimes mixed with malachite or chrysocolla, which causes a blue and green mottled appearance. The turquoise that is found in the USA contains iron rather than aluminum, so it is actually a mixture of turquoise and chalcosiderite. Since it contains iron, it is a green color. Pure blue turquoise is rare and turquoise is mostly interspersed by brown, dark-grey or black veins, which can be sparse or dense. These veins are either the host rock or other minerals and turquoise that contains veins is referred to as "turquoise matrix". The most popular color of turquoise is sky-blue (also called "robin's egg blue" or "Persian blue"), followed by blue-green or apple-green.

Turquoise occurs as botyroidal (grape-like) masses or nodules in fissures. The best quality turquoise is located in Northeast Iran. Turquoise deposits are also found in Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and the USA.

Healing Power of Turquoise

Turquoise has a long history of use as a talisman or amulet. The ancient Egyptians, Mesoamericans, Native Americans and Tibetans have believed in the special powers of turquoise for centuries. Some believed that turquoise can protect its wearer from harm, whilst others thought that it brought good luck or longevity. Moreover, some cultures accredited turquoise with the ability to reflect the health of the wearer; its color fading when worn by those in ill health and becoming deeper and more vivid when worn by a healthy person.

Mystical Power in Turquoise

Nowadays, turquoise is believed to offer protection and to be helpful for careers and travel. It is thought to facilitate leadership and clear communication. Physically, turquoise is thought to alleviate migraines and benefit the brain, eyes, ears, neck, lungs and throat. Turquoise is related to feelings of peace and balance, especially the balance of male and female. In traditional Hindu belief systems, turquoise is associated with clearing Ajna, or the third eye chakra and Vishuddha, or the throat chakra. Ajna is connected with the pineal gland, the pituitary gland, intuition and the intellect. Vishuddha is linked to purification, wisdom, verbal communication, the ears, neck and throat. Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December and a zodiacal stone for Sagittarians. In feng shui, turquoise carries water energy.

We Export Turquoise Worldwide

Lodha Gems is a gemstone shop in India (India), we have natural Turquoise in stock which are certified, our Turquoise are procured directly from mines and our natural Turquoise are free from any treatment, if you want to buy Turquoise then feel free to contact us at +91 94335 46997, we ship worldwide.