Turquoise: a description of the stone, its types and properties

Turquoise is a mineral that has fascinated for centuries with its color. The unusual properties of this semiprecious stone and the positive effect on the human body were evaluated in ancient times. Currently, it is becoming more popular.

This rare stone owes its popularity to the state, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea - Turkey. It was through this region that once led a trade route through which turquoise was delivered from Persia to Europe. In Persian, this stone was called “pyruzekh” - “victory”, although initially it appeared under the name “kalayt” (from the Greek “beautiful stone”). The first mention of it appeared in the writings of the Roman writer Pilinius the Elder.

The origins of this stone date back to 3000 BC. e. Then the turquoise mining sites were the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. Extraordinary properties have always been attributed to this stone. Therefore, the soldiers attached great importance to the mineral and willingly chose it as a talisman. It was believed that he was able to silence his anger and help reconcile even the most implacable enemies.

The ancient Aztecs and Mayans appreciated the noble colors of turquoise and willingly used it to create various ornaments: masks, handles of sacrificial knives, mosaics, and even to decorate human skulls. Scientists say that it was in these places that there were many craft workshops specializing in the processing of the "stone of heaven." This elite symbol of dignity was also often used as a means of payment and exchanged for valuable products such as feathers of exotic birds or cocoa beans.

Turquoise was known in ancient China and Tibet, where it was believed that this stone brings prosperity and health, protects from evil forces. In addition, Tibetans considered turquoise a national symbol, especially appreciating its green shades (although usually blue stone is considered more valuable).

In ancient Egypt, this mineral was a valuable decorative stone, from which various figurines and ornaments were made, as evidenced by finds in the tombs of Egyptian rulers: a posthumous mask and the inside of Tutankhamun’s grave lined with turquoise. For the ancient Egyptians, it was also an amulet - its blue color was considered a symbol of renewal, so special properties were attributed to the stone.

In the representations of many civilizations, turquoise was a talisman, providing happiness and longevity. It was also believed that the color of turquoise reflects the health of its owner. Bright and intense - when the owner was in good health. And the stone should have turned pale and turned gray in case of illness of its master. They believed that turquoise can speak, and even that it dies with the death of its owner.

Turquoise is a mineral belonging to the phosphate cluster. This is a compound of copper hydrate and aluminum phosphate. The presence of copper determines the presence of blue shades, while iron gives the stone green tones. Turquoise color can vary from light blue, blue, green-blue to green. But it can also be white, gray and yellowish gray. The shade of turquoise may change due to temperature.

Since turquoise is an extremely soft stone, in the past it was often used as an inlay. As a decorative stone - both earlier and today - these are mainly cabochons of various shapes used in rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Turquoise is often found in the form of smooth or faceted balls, ovals and discs.. It looks good in the company of not only gold, but also silver (especially oxidized) and goes well with red coral.

To this day, Iran remains an important source of turquoise mining, from where material has a beautiful blue color. However, the main turquoise market is largely controlled by China and Tibet.

Different turquoise deposits give different materials with a characteristic color and appearance. For example, the Sleeping Beauty mine is known for its light blue turquoise.

Most of the fossils of the turquoise mine Kingman Mine - bright blue with a black spider line. Morenci mine produces a lot of dark blue turquoise with pyrite content. Most of the turquoise from the Bisby deposit is bright blue in color with a chocolate brown matrix. People who understand turquoise can often correctly associate a stone with a particular mine.

In nature, turquoise is best formed in an arid climate, and this determines the geography of turquoise sources. Most of the world's turquoise raw materials are currently produced in the southwestern United States, China, Chile, Egypt, Iran, and Mexico. In these areas, precipitation penetrates soil and stones, wetting a small amount of copper. When this water later evaporates, copper combines with aluminum and phosphorus.

Turquoise can also replace rock. After this transformation, a solid mass of turquoise will form. If the replacement is incomplete, in turquoise the remains of the rock will look like a “matrix”. The matrix can form a "web", "spotted" or other pattern inside the stone.

Most turquoise mined is usually a by-product of copper production.. When turquoise occurs in copper mining, the quantity and quality of the material are evaluated. If the cost of turquoise is worth extracting it, it will be mined.

Consider several varieties of this beautiful stone.

Turquoise can have a uniform color, but there are also inclusions of other minerals in the form of lighter or darker spots or veins.

The most valuable breed comes from Iran (Nishapur region) - it has been mined there for two thousand years, and this region is currently an important source of production. Another place to get this mineral is the Sinai Peninsula, where the stone is known from about 3000 BC. e. The following turquoise types are found on the market today:

• Chinese
• Tibetan
• Iranian
• Arizona
• Turkmen;
• Australian
• Brazilian
• Kazakhstan;
• Uzbek
• Russian;
• Armenian
• Tajik
• Indian
• Turkish
• Chilean
• Mexican
• Peruvian;
• Ethiopian
• African
• Sudanese
• Tanzanian
• French
• British

Good specimens are also found in France, Great Britain, Russia, Poland, Arabia, Egypt, China, Peru and Mexico. The color of these stones is usually classic, which we call turquoise blue, but there are stones of other colors. These are green stones from Tibet, white turquoise stones, pink, some rather unusual violet species and a beautiful light "Sleeping Beauty".

In natural form, getting all the colors of this stone is becoming increasingly difficult. Blue turquoise forms when copper is present. Green turquoise is formed when iron is nearby. Although it is known that white turquoise is formed when none of these metals is found in stone, white specimens are quite rare. Unless sometimes you can see white spots in blue or green stones.

Today there is a huge, diverse line of turquoise cabochons from different places:

• teardrop-shaped, slightly greenish-blue stone from Arizona - "Sleeping Beauty";
• a blue-green turquoise black matrix cabochon from China;
• sky blue cabochons in Arizona;
• sky blue with a chocolate brown matrix from the Altyn-Tyube mine in Kazakhstan;
• sky blue stone from Kingman Mines;
• black matrix cabochon from mines in Nevada;
• pressed turquoise;
• and others.

Blue minerals are rare, which is why turquoise is gaining attention in the gemstone market. The most desirable turquoise color is blue. After blue, bluish-green stones are preferred. Moreover, green and yellowish-green material are less desirable. The deviation from the pleasant blue color is caused by a small amount of iron, replacing aluminum in the turquoise structure. Iron gives turquoise a green tint in proportion to its quantity. The color of the stone can also be changed by containing small amounts of iron or zinc, which replace copper in the texture of turquoise.

Some stones contain inclusions of the host rock (known as the matrix), which look like black or brown cobwebs or spots inside the material. Often turquoise processors try to produce stones that exclude the matrix. But sometimes it is so evenly distributed over the stone that it cannot be removed. Some people who buy turquoise jewelry like to see the matrix inside the stone.

Consider the basic physical properties turquoise.

• Colors. Sky blue (most desirable as a gem), blue, bluish green, green, yellowish green; often with a brown or black matrix, cobweb or background color. Opaque stone.
• Vein - From bluish-white to greenish-white.
• Mohs hardness - from 5 to 6 (often lower due to porosity).
• Specific gravity - from 2.6 to 2.9 (variable due to porosity and matrix).
• Chemical composition - CuAl 6 (PO 4) 4 (OH) 8 4H 2 O.
• Crystal system - triclinic.

The stones of the turquoise group have very similar chemical compositions. In these minerals, iron often replaces aluminum, and copper often replaces zinc or iron. Since they are very similar and have different compositions, these minerals are often misidentified. As a result, some materials sold as turquoise are actually another member of the turquoise mineral group.

Turquoise is used mainly as a gem, small sculptures and decorative mineral.

Turquoise is an amulet whose magical power has been valued for centuries. Nowadays, the mineral is known as a protection stone, the pearl of children and women.. It adds strength, gives courage, provides good luck and happiness in the family. Once it was appreciated by racers, and today travelers and drivers, because it protects against accidents and accelerates the reflex reaction. It is also a powerful weapon against all types of disasters - stone provides prosperity and happiness. It is given to a loved one as an expression of a pure and unchanging feeling.

It also has healing properties. Strengthens health, improves mood and relieves depression. It is used to treat pain of various origins - from rheumatism to migraine. Strengthens the process of tissue regeneration. The stone also has a strong local effect: it can be applied to damaged areas of the body, and it is advisable to drink the water in which the stone was located. It adds energy, helps in treating viral infections and resolving stomach problems.

This stone has a unique vibration that resonates with the energy of truth. Exposure to this unusual energy helps a person express themselves directly, honestly and wisely. If you are a shy person, turquoise stones can help you gain confidence in communication, participate in conversations more and feel that your words have value and validity. The energy of this stone will help you to behave calmly and relaxed, speaking in public.

You can place your stone on the area of ​​the third eye during meditation. This stimulates the birth of visions known as clairvoyance. The energy of turquoise stones will allow you to begin to develop your intuition at a higher level. Turquoise can allow access to knowledge from a past life.

The stone brings a sense of deep calm and can help heal emotional problems and stress, as well as prevent mood swings. This stone allows you to better understand the meaning of life. Allows you to know in the end what is your purpose of being here at present. It is a strong stone for spiritual customization. Using it in meditation is very helpful.

The vibration of this stone is strongly manifested in the heart chakra. She directs the energy of love in all your affairs. You can relax, knowing that you are protected from any negative.

Fine jewelry made of turquoise stone has been used for millennia and has been appreciated for its beauty. For centuries, they have also been used to make protective amulets. The stones were used by shamans, as their vibration was known to be very powerful, and had strong protective properties. In ancient times, turquoise was used to solve vision problems, including cataracts.

This stone helps to better absorb the nutrients you eat. It is believed that turquoise products help protect the body from atmospheric pollutants. Therefore, it can be useful in periods when the air is not very clean.

Wearing turquoise jewelry on the body will help harmonize and invigorate the body. The mineral will even allow you to develop superpower.But the effect of the stone will be more effective if applied closer to the third eye.

It is a powerful stone that can be worn for protection. And turquoise necklaces or bracelets can be very effective in protecting overall health.

If you feel that you need to balance your male and female energy, you can combine turquoise with other crystals that harmonize it. For this purpose, you can use: sphalerite, alunite, iolite, aventurine, marcasite, golden yellow labradorite, lapis lazuli, jade, magnetite, rhodochrosite, amazonite and hematite.

Turquoise stones can be combined with other copper-based stones, including malachite, azurite, precious silica, ajoite, quinoite or chrysocolla.

Turquoise is a strong stone of spiritual tuning; it is very effective for enhancing sociability. These products help balance your male and female beginnings.

Turquoise is suitable for people who would like to solve many problems (or acquire additional features).

• Turquoise is a firming stone. It is good for exhaustion, depression or panic attacks.
• Strengthens the physical and mental stability of the body, supports the absorption of nutrients.
• Facilitates the fight against viral infections. It is an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying agent.
• Reduces excess acidity of the stomach.
• Turquoise helps with eye and ear diseases. With cerebral disorders. Often recommended for the treatment of cataracts and headaches, as well as for problems with the vestibular apparatus.
• Turquoise is beneficial for the respiratory system and helps in the treatment of lung diseases and allergies. Wearing a turquoise necklace helps prevent tracheitis and asthma attacks.
• This stone can cure speech disorders such as stuttering.
• Turquoise is the most effective healer, which provides good health and well-being for the body. The stone improves mood, while at the same time evoking a sense of calm and poise. Relieves stress.
• Like a cleansing stone turquoise dissipates negative energy and cleans the electromagnetic smog arising from environmental influences.
• It promotes self-realization and helps in creative problem solving.thereby calming the nerves in public speaking.
• Because turquoise soothes the mind, it is good at changing time zones, reduces fear of flying.
• Tibetan turquoise - An excellent stone against hysteria, which is used to calm people prone to overreaction.
• Turquoise strengthens the meridians of the body and subtle energy fields, improving the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Placed on the area of ​​the third eye, the stone enhances intuition.
• Promotes the development of wisdom and kindness.
• Turquoise exposure - This is a fresh, pleasant energy that returns us to serenity when the incentive to life is updated. Brings hope, new discoveries and a balance of life.
• Lighter Stone promotes inner harmony.
• Darker, deeper tones give power and flexibility. They counteract intolerance and allow us to adapt to new conditions.
• Apaches believed that turquoise gives help to a warrior or hunter. If turquoise was attached to a weapon or bow, the shot hit directly at the target.
• Zuni Indians believed that turquoise can protect them from demons.
• According to Hindu and Persian legends, it was very useful to have turquoise on hand during the new moon.

According to astrology, turquoise refers to the elements of Earth and Water. Therefore, according to the zodiac sign, this mineral is recommended to Pisces, Scorpio, Taurus and Sagittarius.

The stone contributes to the activation of female sexuality. Therefore, for single women, it can be a good amulet that makes it possible to find a fan and find love. A mineral gives men confidence and charisma, which helps accelerate career growth.

Natural turquoise is currently one of the rather expensive mineral stones. Therefore, more and more often you can find numerous imitations of turquoise, which are nothing more than a white stone, in which there is a part of natural turquoise.

This is the name of a stone impregnated with a polymer or other bonding material to make it quite durable for cutting and use in jewelry. The stabilized turquoise can be cut into beautiful beads and cabochons. This is the most common type of product in the modern gem and jewelry market. This is widely known because the supply of natural turquoise is much less than the demand from people who want to get this stone.

Made from small pieces of turquoise, which are mixed with polymer and molded in the form of blocks. Finely ground turquoise can be combined with some other materials. Then the blocks are sawn into small pieces, which are used to cut cabochons, beads and other objects.

Natural stone is a porous material and easily accepts dye. Paint is used to turn existing paint into a more commercial color. Composite and restored turquoise are the most common types of colored imitations. Sometimes black or brown dye is used to change the color of the matrix material to make it more visible and uniform. Painted turquoise always costs less than raw material of the same color and quality.

But there are cheaper (albeit natural) stones that are offered under the name turquoise.

There are several differences between natural turquoise and artificial stone.

• Weight. Turquoise is a light stone. And for example, howlite will be much harder.
• The size. Large stones are almost never found. The usual size of turquoise is about 50 mm.
• Price. If the stone costs below $ 200 - most likely, this is a fake.
• Scratch. If you draw a needle over a natural stone, then a scratch should remain. If it is not, turquoise is not real. However, if the furrow still remains, but has a white color - this is also a fake, made of soft material. If you want to conduct a destructive test, you should keep in mind that the blue dye used to stain howlite and magnesite usually does not penetrate very deeply. If you scratch the back of the cabochon with a pin, you will often see a white mark. If the part is highly colored, it may take a deeper scratch or break the edge to determine if the part is painted.
• Howls and Magnesite can be easily distinguished from turquoise with a refractometer. They have different refractive indices.

Turquoise color may change due to improper care and cleaning. If you have turquoise jewelry with a beautiful color, you should be careful when exposing them exposure to:

• prolonged sunlight, ultraviolet light;
• heat;
• cosmetics, perfumes and body oils.

If cosmetics, sweat, or body oil get on the mineral, simply gently wipe the product with a soft cloth dampened in a very mild soapy solution, and then wipe it with a cloth moistened with clean water. Then, after the turquoise has dried, store it in a casket, protecting it from bright light or exposure to excess heat. It is unacceptable to use any detergents containing aggressive chemical components.

It is better to store products from turquoise in isolation from other jewelry items. It is believed that turquoise loses its magical properties when interacting with other jewelry.

For more information about turquoise, see the next video.