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

Turquoise is a mineral that has fascinated with its color for centuries. The unusual properties of this semi-precious stone and the positive impact on the human body were evaluated in antiquity. Currently it is becoming increasingly 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 the trade route through which turquoise was delivered from Persia to Europe. In Persian, this stone was called “Pieruseh” - “victory”, although initially it was called “kalite” (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. er Then the sites of turquoise mining were the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. Extraordinary properties have always been attributed to this stone. Therefore, the warriors 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 valued 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 in these places there were many craft workshops specializing in the processing of "stone of heaven." This elite symbol of dignity was also often used as a means of payment and exchanged for such valuable products as feathers of exotic birds or cocoa beans.

They knew about turquoise 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 statuettes and ornaments were made, as evidenced by finds in the tombs of the Egyptian rulers: death mask and the inner part 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, therefore special properties were attributed to the stone.

In the views of many civilizations, turquoise was a talisman, ensuring happiness and longevity. It was also believed that the color of turquoise reflects the health of its owner. Bright and intense - when the owner enjoyed good health. And the stone had to turn pale and turn gray in the event of illness of its owner. They believed that turquoise can speak, and even that it dies with the death of the owner.

Turquoise is a mineral belonging to the phosphate cluster. This is a compound of copper hydrate and aluminum phosphate. The presence of copper causes the presence of blue shades, while the iron gives the stone a green tone. The color of turquoise can vary from light blue, blue, green and blue to green. But it can also be white, gray and yellowish gray. Turquoise hue 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 it goes well with red coral.

To this day, Iran remains an important source of turquoise mining, from where material with a beautiful blue color comes. 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 fossil turquoise mine Kingman Mine is a bright blue with a black cobweb. Morenci mine produces a lot of dark blue turquoise with pyrite content. Most of the turquoise from the Bisbee field has a bright blue color with a chocolate-brown matrix. People who understand turquoise can often properly associate a stone with a particular mine.

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

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

Much of the turquoise mined is usually a by-product of copper production.. When turquoise occurs in copper mining, the quantity and quality of the material is estimated. If the cost of turquoise is worth it to extract it - it will be mined.

Consider several varieties of this beautiful stone.

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

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

• 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, 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 ones, some rather unusual purple species and a beautiful light “Sleeping Beauty”.

In-kind to get all the colors of this stone are becoming increasingly difficult. Blue turquoise is formed when copper is present. Green turquoise is formed when the iron is near. Although it is known that white turquoise is formed when none of these metals are found in stone, white specimens are quite rare. Is that sometimes you can see white spots in the blue or green stones.

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

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

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

Some stones contain inclusions of enclosing rock (known as a matrix) that look like black or brown spider webs or spots inside the material. Often, turquoise handlers try to produce stones that exclude a 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 gemstone), blue, bluish green, green, yellowish green; often with a brown or black matrix, a spiderweb 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. Because they are very similar and have a different composition, these minerals are often incorrectly identified. As a result, some materials sold as turquoise are in fact another member of the turquoise mineral group.

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

Turquoise is an amulet whose magical power has been appreciated for centuries. Nowadays, the mineral is known as a stone of protection, the pearl of children and women.. It adds strength, gives courage, ensures 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 kinds of disasters - a stone provides prosperity and happiness. It is given to a loved one as an expression of pure and unchanging feeling.

It also has healing properties. Strengthens health, improves mood and relieves depression. 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 the treatment of viral infections and the resolution of stomach problems.

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

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

Stone brings a feeling of deep calm and can help heal emotional problems and stress, as well as prevent mood swings. This stone allows you to more deeply realize the meaning of life. It will eventually let you know what your goal is to find here at the moment. It is a strong stone for spiritual tuning. 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 into all your affairs. You can relax knowing that you are protected from any negative.

Beautiful turquoise stone jewelery has been used for thousands of years and valued for its beauty. For centuries, they have also been used to make protective amulets. The stones were used by shamans, because their vibration was known to be very powerful, and had strong protective properties. In ancient times, turquoise was used to solve eye problems, including cataracts.

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

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

This 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 masculine and feminine 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, adjoite, kinite or chrysocolla.

Turquoise is a strong spiritual setting stone, 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 purchase additional features).

• Turquoise is a firming stone. It is good at exhaustion, depression or panic attacks.
• Strengthens the body's physical and mental stability, supports nutrient absorption.
• Facilitates the fight against viral infections. It is an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying agent.
• Reduces the excess acidity of the stomach.
• Turquoise helps with eye and ear diseases. With cerebral disorders.It is often recommended for the treatment of cataracts and headaches, as well as for problems with the vestibular apparatus.
• Turquoise is good 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 healerproviding the health of the spirit and well-being for the body. The stone improves mood, at the same time causing a feeling of calmness and balance. Relieves stress.
• Like a cleansing stone turquoise dispels negative energy and purifies electromagnetic smog from the environment.
• It promotes self-realization and helps in creative problem solving., thereby calming nerves during public speaking.
• Because turquoise soothes the mind, she is good at changing time zones, reduces fear of flying.
• Tibetan turquoise - an excellent stone against hysteria, which is used to calm people who are prone to over-react to situations.
• Turquoise strengthens the body's meridians 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.
• Contributes to the development of wisdom and kindness.
• Turquoise impact - this is a fresh, pleasant energy that returns us to serenity when the stimulus to life is renewed. Brings hope, new discoveries and life balance.
• Brighter stone promotes inner harmony.
• Darker, saturated tones give power and flexibility. They counteract intolerance and allow us to adapt to new conditions.
• Apaches believed that turquoise gives help to a soldier or a hunter. If turquoise was attached to a weapon or bow, the shot hit the target directly.
• Zuni Indians believed that turquoise can protect them from demons.
• According to the Hindu and Persian legends, it was very useful to have a turquoise on hand during the new moon.

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

Stone contributes to the activation of female sexuality. Therefore, for single women, it can be a good amulet, giving the opportunity to find a fan and find love. Mineral gives a man confidence and charisma, which contributes to accelerating career growth.

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

This is the name of a stone impregnated with polymer or other bonding material to make it quite durable for cutting and use in jewelry. Stabilized turquoise can be cut into beautiful beads and cabochons. This is the most common type of products in the modern market of precious stones and jewelry. 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 cast in the form of blocks. Finely divided turquoise can be combined with some other materials. The blocks are then sawn into small pieces, which are used to cut cabochons, beads, and other objects.

Natural stone is a porous material and easily accepts dye. The paint is used to turn the existing color into a more marketable color. Composite and reconstructed turquoise are the most common types of painted imitations. Sometimes black or brown dye is used to change the color of the matrix material to make it more noticeable and uniform. Painted turquoise is always worth 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 is below $ 200 - most likely it is a fake.
• Scraped. If you hold a needle on a natural stone, then there should be a scratch. If it is not - turquoise unreal. However, if the groove still remains, but has a white color - this is also a fake, made of soft material. If you want to conduct a destructive test, then it should be borne in mind that the blue dye used to stain haulite and magnesite usually does not penetrate very deeply. If you scratch the back of the cabochon with a pin, you often see a white mark. If the part is highly colored, it may require a scratch deeper or an edge break will be required to determine if the part is painted.
• Govlit and magnesite can be easily distinguished from turquoise using a refractometer. They have different refractive indices.

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

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

If the mineral has any cosmetics, sweat, or body oil, simply wipe the product gently with a soft cloth moistened with a very mild soap 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 excessive heat. It is unacceptable to use any detergent containing aggressive chemical ingredients.

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

More about turquoise, see the following video.