The Art of Turquoise
Turquoise is a unique and beautiful gemstone with a rich cultural history. Turquoise was favored among ancient Egyptian pharaohs as well as the Hindu mystics, who believed that beholding this gem after a new moon would guarantee outrageous wealth. Its varying hues of blue to green make it a desirable choice for jewelry. Stones are graded on color, texture, and the presence of matrix - black fibrous lines marking the surface of the gem - which makes it a one-of-a-kind gemstone. Turquoise has been valued for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for jewelry today.
This gemstone is typically mined in arid regions of the world - Southwestern United States, Mexico, China, and Iran. The above Turquoise nugget was mined in Bisbee, Arizona and the Turquoise Cabochons pictured here are from the Kingman mines in Mohave County, northwestern Arizona.
Beautiful Turquoise lends itself to a variety of jewelry designs, from traditional Native American styles to contemporary, bohemian looks. In some Native American cultures, Turquoise is believed to have protective powers and is often worn as a talisman. It is also believed to promote healing and bring good luck and fortune.
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Turquoise is softer than many popular stones, only reaching a 5 or 6 on the Mohs scale. Its lower durability makes it vulnerable to scratches and chips. To care for Turquoise jewelry:
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