DISCOVER LIFE'S PRECIOUS GEMS!

TURQUOISE, THE BIRTHSTONE OF DECEMBER

In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers made turquoise the official birthstone of December.

Even though, we are more than half way through the astrological sign of Sagittarius, I want to wish all Sagittarians a very Happy Birthday! The other day, I was talking with my dear friend, telling him that I was running behind on the turquoise blog and that I kept putting it on the back burner. He came back with “Do you not like Sagittarians?” to which I retorted “Of course I do.  I love Sagittarians. Sagittarius is one of my favorite signs.”

TO ALL SAGITTARIANS

I am continually amused by your painfully blunt, brutally honest and most sincere comments and I am in awe of your profound wisdom and wise judgment.  Isn’t wisdom and judgment the definition of “sage”?  I believe that the word “Sagittarius” and “Sage” are similar for a reason and it is not a coincidence.  Then again, there is no such thing as coincidences!

WHAT IS TURQUOISE

Turquoise, known as the “Sky Stone” is mineral classified as a hydrous (containing water) copper aluminum phosphate. Turquoise is almost always cryptocrystalline ( crystal structure is so fine that no distinct particles can be seen without a powerful microscope) and without any specific outer shape.

Turquoise is easily identifiable by its coloring, nodular shape, cavities, conchoidal fractures and veins, all of which are a result of the way it forms. Its colors include powder blue, sky blue, greenish blue, yellowish green and white. The black flecks are usually pyrite and its thin veins are limonite.  The blue comes from its copper content while the green is usually the result of iron impurities (iron sometimes replaces the aluminum) or dehydration.

ANCIENT BEGINNINGS, ITS POPULARITY AND ITS NAME

Turquoise has been around a very long time and was one of the first gems mined.  People loved the coloring so much that turquoise became the name of the blue it resembled.

The Egyptians discovered and mined turquoise in the Sinai Peninsula at least 5000 years ago.

Turquoise was discovered in Persia (modern day Iran) over 2000 years ago and today Iran continues to produce some of the finest turquoise. While many of those mines have long been depleted, some are still being worked by hand or with little or no machinery.

Turquoise was so popular that it was worn by Pharaohs and Aztec Kings.  It still remains a popular stone..

As with most names, “turquoise” has many origins. One derivation is the French word “Turquie” for Turkey or Turkish.  This was most likely because turquoise was originally brought to Europe from the Turkish mines or through Turkey from the Persian mines.  The name could also come from the French words “pierre turquin” meaning dark blue stone.

The Persians had their own name for turquoise calling it “pirouzeh” for “victory.”  The domes atop Iranian palaces were made from turquoise because they believed that its intense blue color was a symbol of heaven on earth.

WHERE TURQUOISE IS FOUND

Turquoise is usually found in arid, semi-arid or desert regions where volcanic activity most likely took place. Turquoise is often found in cavities and fractures of volcanic rock. This explains the limonite and iron oxides in it.

For centuries, the most valuable turquoise came from Persia (Iran).  It was called “Persian Turquoise” and it didn’t have the black and brown veining common to turquoise found in the U.S. More recently, beautiful specimens have been produced in the southwestern U.S.  Significant turquoise deposits are found in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, California and Virginia too.  Today, Arizona is considered to be the biggest producer of Turquoise.  Being a copper based mineral, turquoise is often found around copper deposits and mines. It is often a byproduct of large-scale copper mining operations.

Other countries producing turquoise are Mexico, Chile, Australia, India, Afghanistan and China.  China has been a minor source of turquoise for over 3000 years.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MINERALS

Primary or accessory minerals are characteristically formed from molten magma or extreme temperatures and pressure usually deep within the earth’s crust.  In contrast, secondary minerals are a product of already formed minerals that had been exposed to hydrothermal alterations (caused by weathering) and / or oxidation.

WHY TURQUOISE IS A SECONDARY MINERAL

In simple terms, turquoise was formed when water from the ground seeped into the soil and mixed with aluminum rich minerals in the presence of copper.

Most likely, the copper in turquoise came from chalcopyrite, (a copper sulfide) or azurite or malachite, (both copper carbonates).  Its aluminum could very well have come from feldspar and its phosphorus could have come from apatite.

HOW DOES TURQUOISE FORM

Turquoise grows inside a mother rock, also known as the matrix. This matrix often appears as splotches or netted patterns of veins and is referred to as a “spider web matrix.” This is what creates the black and brown veins running throughout the stone.

As you see, nature plays a big part in the formation of turquoise and explains the various colors, shapes, cavities, fractures and veins.

IMITATION IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY.

When you have a stone as popular as turquoise, the demand is often hard to meet. Such was and continues to be the case with turquoise.  As a result, a whole new industry erupted aimed at capitalizing on profits.

The process of reconstitution and stabilization creating synthetic, simulated, treated, altered or enhanced turquoise emerged.  These treatments also include light waxing, oiling, dyeing and / or impregnating the color. This practice soon became commonplace with the lesser quality turquoise.

The most common imitation of turquoise is dyed blue howlite because howlite also has black veins. Even though howlite can appears as nodules, it does not have the matrix that turquoise does.  Magnesite and chrysocolla are two other minerals used for imitation turquoise.

CHALK TURQUOISE

Chalk Turquoise is considered a lower grade turquoise with many thoughts on what it actually is.  One theory is that it is a porous white stone that comes from China.  Another thought is that it is a turquoise with a yellowish green chalk like consistency resulting from high amounts of iron.  A third theory says it can’t be classified as turquoise since it doesn’t contain copper. (As you know now, copper gives turquoise its blue coloring). Another thought is that it is dyed magnesite.

A SACRED STONE USED IN RITUALS

Tibetans, North American Indians and shamans all over the world consider turquoise to be a very sacred stone, using it in many of their rituals and ceremonies.

TURQUOISE JEWELRY    VALUE AND WORTH

Turquoise is one of the most valuable opaque minerals used in jewelry.  Its waxy luster finish lends itself to beautiful jewelry when it is cut and polished. Like coral and other opaque gems, the price for turquoise is often based on its size rather than its weight.

Two main factors in determining the value of turquoise are its hardness and intensity of color. The color itself is not usually a good criteria, however experts feel that the blue resembling a robin’s egg is the most desirable. Regardless of the color, turquoise should not be excessively soft or chalky (that also pertains to treated turquoise).

NOT REAL HARD AND QUITE FRAGILE

The hardness of turquoise is slightly under 6 (a little more than window glass) which means it can fracture easily, yet turquoise can only be dissolved by hydrochloric acid.

Its fragile nature is another story.

The phosphorous content in turquoise makes it a fragile mineral sensitive to solvents, jewelry cleaning formulas, perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, skin oils, sunscreen and the like. These all can harm the natural finish and alter its color.

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided as it can distort the color and can dehydrate it.

CLEANING AND STORING

After using turquoise, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove any residue. Turquoise should be stored in its own container or away from harder minerals which could scratch it.  Turquoise does best when it’s NOT stored in an airtight container.

BELIEFS AND LEGENDS

Many ancient civilizations shared the belief that turquoise possessed prophylactic qualities.  They also thought that turquoise would change color  according to the wearer’s health and protect him or her from unknown forces.

Many cultures held turquoise in high esteem believing that it was a holy stone or talisman that brought good fortune.

Turquoise had been referred to as the “gemstone of the people.”   In Persia, sky-blue turquoise was worn to provide protection from an unnatural death.  If the turquoise changed color, folks believed that impending danger or death was approaching.  Today, we understand that excessive exposure to light or reactions to dust, cosmetics or the acidity of our skin can change the color of turquoise.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF TURQUOISE

According to Melody (Love is in the Earth), “turquoise is a gift from Earth bringing the blue of Father Sky to the Earth and melding together the energies of the heavens with the consciousness of Mother Earth.”

Turquoise reinforces and aligns our chakras, meridians and our consciousness.  It benefits our throat, heart and naval chakras and brings love to everything connected with those 3 chakras.  Like most blue stones, turquoise has a strong connection to the throat chakra, the one associated with communication.  Turquoise helps us communicate and manifest wholeness and truth.  It compliments and arouses the throat chakra allowing for articulation and deep wisdom. (If those two last sentences don’t sound like they apply to most Sagittarians, I should give up my knowledge of crystals and astrology.  ; > ) One more word about turquoise and wisdom….Turquoise represents the wisdom that comes from all of our life’s experiences.

Getting back to “wholeness,” turquoise supports overall well being and encourages an even keel with regard to our mood and emotions.

The wisdom and message of turquoise is quite profound. When we let go of our insistence on getting “justice” and replace it with the ability to see others through eyes of compassion and forgiveness, we receive heartfelt loving gifts.

If the above isn’t enough to make you fall in love with  turquoise, here is more. Turquoise brings serenity, peace, kindness, understanding and mental and spiritual clarity.

This blue gem lifts our spirits, restores our lost vitality, heals our emotions, relieves stress and brings awareness to the heart.