Turquoise is a gemstone that has been cherished by civilizations for centuries. American Turquoise, in particular, comes in various shades and has been a coveted gemstone for years. However, the captivating robin’s egg hue of Persian turquoise has been captivating civilizations for more than 6,500 years. The ancient allure of Persian Turquoise traces back to the first known turquoise artifacts discovered, which were beads adorning a woman’s skeleton in a Neishapur tomb, dating back to 4,000 BC.

Persian Turquoise has been mined and cherished for its unparalleled beauty since 2100 B.C. and boasts a pedigree that surpasses new world varieties. Its rich history is exemplified by Napoleon the First, who presented Empress Marie Louise with a tiara encrusted with 79 emeralds, later replaced with Iranian turquoise.

Understanding the differences in qualities and classifications is crucial when purchasing turquoise, as it ranges from $5 for a fake pair of turquoise earrings to $25,000 for a pure turquoise necklace. In this discussion, we will explore Persian turquoise from Iran, alongside Sleeping Beauty turquoise and Kingman turquoise, both representing American varieties. So, whether you are a collector or simply admire the beauty of turquoise, it is important to appreciate the rich history and unique characteristics of each type.

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Persian Turquoise

Sourced from mines in Iran, Persian turquoise stands out for its exceptional durability even though turquoise, in general, is a softer stone. In comparison to turquoise from other sources, Persian turquoise proves to be tougher. It is categorized into three quality classes: Angushtari, the highest quality featuring minimal markings or matrix; Barkhaneh, maintaining high quality with more spots and matrix; and Arabi, considered third-rate due to its presence of unpleasant white spots and yellowy hues.

In contrast to American deposits that often require stabilization and enhancements, the coveted Neishapur turquoise stands the test of time with its untreated durability. Renowned for its signature blue-green color range, occasionally veined with an earthy matrix, Neishapur turquoise needs no dyeing or reconstruction, thanks to its unique geological formation in copper deposits. The slow crystallization process allows the development of gorgeous gemstone layers rather than brittle mineral chunks.

While all turquoise is rare, the limited mining potential in narrow Iranian veins concentrates exquisite color in small batches, making it unavailable en masse elsewhere. Reputable Persian merchants, directly sourcing from licensed miners, offer authentic gemstones without the risk of reconstruction, providing peace of mind to collectors, investors, and traditional jewelers worldwide. Iranian turquoise’s cultural legacy further cements its status as the preferred choice in the market.

American Turquoise

The Sleeping Beauty Mine, nestled in Globe, Arizona, earned its name from the adjacent mountain and produced the renowned Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. Celebrated for its magnificent sky-blue hue with minimal spots, matrix, or webbing, this turquoise gained immense desirability. Following the mine’s closure in 2012, Sleeping Beauty stones became even scarcer and more sought after. The turquoise ring, showcasing an appealing matrix design, serves as a prime example. Additionally, there’s the “Original” Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, a Persian Turquoise variety, highly coveted for its flawless coloration. The featured turquoise pendant exemplifies this rare classification, emphasizing the prolonged operation of Iranian mines compared to their American counterparts.

On the other hand, the Kingman mine in Arizona is a notable producer of Kingman turquoise, ranging from sky blue to green hues. The turquoise ring presented here beautifully captures the allure of the distinct Kingman turquoise shade of blue, especially sourced from the turquoise Mountain of the mine.

In contrast, American turquoise, largely a byproduct of copper mining in the early 20th century, surfaced with variations in the arid Southwest climate. While Arizona’s Sleeping Beauty mines rivaled Iranian turquoise, the inconsistency of American turquoise, ranging from brittle pale chunks to dark vivid spiderwebs, led to the need for stabilization and enhancement for jewelry production. Various reconstructing methods, including binding, dyeing, and plastic infusion, enabled mass production from otherwise unusable stones. However, discerning buyers should be cautious of misleading marketing of “reconstructed” turquoise, as even enhanced low-grade stones lack the investment value of genuine untreated American turquoise or imported Persian gems.

History of Turquoise in America

Turquoise was the most popular ornamental gemstone in America 1,000 years ago, and it held a special position in the hearts of Local Americans in both life and in death – it was used to adorn one’s public appearance as well as to protect one’s burial site. Turquoise mines have been depleted in the twenty-first century due to the stone’s worldwide popularity and the yearning of commuting salesmen to scatter it far and wide. Many major sites, however, remain operational in both Nevada and Arizona.

The Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona has generated some of the natural highest-grade turquoise available, ranking alongside the world-renowned Persian turquoise from mines in what is now modern-day Iran. However, remember that most of the Sleeping Beauty turquoise is stabilised and has not that much value. Nevada has the highest concentration of turquoise mines in the United States. The main distinction among these mines and those in Arizona is that most do not serve as secondary sites for copper mining operations. Designers of unique jewelry pieces all over the world seek out high-quality turquoise. Turquoise is typically graded based on three basic quality attributes: color, the absence or presence of matrix and texture.

The Distinction

Verifying the origin of turquoise is crucial to avoid overpaying for imitation stones that may be glorified plastic or cheap chalk. When dealing with Iranian pieces, examining documented dealer credentials becomes crucial to ensure compliance with government trading protocols for antique items or licensed turquoise exports.

Beyond relying on paperwork, specific characteristics serve as indicators of untreated natural turquoise. These include a smooth, non-porous surface, higher density than plastic, warmth to touch, and sharper color variation from oxidation. These traits validate the authenticity of natural turquoise. In comparison, American varieties often fall short of competing with the beloved azure eminence of Nishapur, boasting a cultural legacy spanning 6,500 years. Individuals seeking the rare brilliance of Persian turquoise in jewelry or collecting are encouraged to opt for genuine Persian turquoise rather than settling for New World imitations.

Additionally, distinguishing between genuine gemstones, whether American or Persian, requires learning essential facts about turquoise. Throughout centuries, Persian turquoise has been revered for its higher quality. Understanding key aspects of genuine turquoise, such as the most valuable color being an even, intense medium blue (referred to as sky blue or robin’s egg blue), aids in identification. The conventional source for this prized color is the Nishapur district of Iran, often termed “Persian blue.” Turquoise with a blue-green to green hue is generally considered less preferable, though some contemporary designers actively seek variations like avocado and mint green turquoise, showcasing the subjective nature of colour preferences in the market. It is important to consider these general factors when buying turquoise, regardless of its source:

1- Pattern of Turquoise

Turquoise can range from opaque to semitranslucent, with a color that is typically light to medium blue or greenish blue. It is frequently mottled and has dark splotches. It could also have matrix veins extending through it. Spiderweb turquoise is a material with fine lining of matrix which form alluring web-like patterns.

2- Cut on the Turquoise

Turquoise is usually cut into simple shapes such as rounded domes, squares, triangles, and others. It is important to note that if the stone is drilled or shaped into unusual shapes, it is most likely stabilized at best. In case it is not restructured or reconstituted, click HERE to learn more about what restructured and reconstituted turquoises are. Also, if the stone is carved, it can be stabilized as natural turquoise is not hard enough to tolerate that much pressure to be drilled or carved.

Weight of Turquoise in Carats

Carats are used to measure turquoise, and five carats are equal to one gramme. Turquoise comes in a variety of sizes. Native American jewelry uses stones of all sizes, including very small stones, and big chunks of turquoise rough are widely known for carvings. The value and uniformity of the color is the most important value factor for any size.

AmitisArt Turquoise

Now that you know about American and Persian turquoise is and how to spot a genuine piece, you must also know about AmitisArt turquoise. AmitisArt carries a large selection of Persian jewelry, including earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets. If you want to appear fashionable, a turquoise pendant is a must-have. So, click the link https://amitisart.net/shop/ now to order your turquoise piece, and we’ll ship it directly from the Iranian mines.

Turquoise Uncovered Podcast

We are excited to offer an alternative way to experience our blog posts. If you prefer listening over reading, you can access an audio version of our blog posts on the Turquoise Uncovered Podcast.

Author: Sohrab Jamarani

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