Turquoise has been popular for centuries, and in this article, we’ll look at some of the unusual and interesting facts about this coveted gem.

People believe the ancient Egyptians were the first to employ turquoise, but did you know this is not true? Around 3000 B.C., they started using it to create amulets and other jewellery pieces.

Characteristics of a Turquoise Stone

Opaque and ranging in colour from blue to green, turquoise is a mineral. This compound is a hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate. Because of its distinctive hue, it has been prized as a jewel and ornamental stone for thousands of years.

Interesting Turquoise Stone Facts

What you are about to read is the most important thing you will ever discover about turquoise stone, and it will make you swoon.

A Symbolic Stone in Jewelry

Turquoise gems and jewellery are more than just eye-catching ornaments; they also carry symbolic significance. Turquoise is considered the most powerful stone due to its reputation for transmuting negative energy into good.

Also associated with turquoise are the emotions of love, friendship, creativity, and honesty.

Turquoise stone has always been a symbol of tranquillity and calm. In Native American culture, it was used to represent the heavens, the seas, and the earth and to ward off the evil eye.

The only stone with Its unique colour

Another unique quality of turquoise is that it is the only gemstone whose hue takes its name. There aren’t too many minerals with such a vivid and unusual hue.

The most common turquoise shade is a pure sky blue known as Robin’s egg blue. The presence of copper causes the gem to take on a stunning blue hue, whereas iron or aluminium causes it to take on a distinctly greenish hue.

Its most common colour is a vivid blue-green, but other blue tones are also possible. The ideal hue for a gem would be a uniformly dark blue tone.

The Tibetans and the Nepalese refer to it as “The Sky Stone.”

Turquoise stone was revered for hundreds of years in the Himalayas because locals believed it was a gift from God. Beautiful in its bluish-green hue, it is supposed to provide its wearer with security.

Turquoise is traditionally handed to young Tibetans to ensure their protection throughout their lives.

It was regarded as a holy stone by the ancients.

For centuries, turquoise stone was revered as a sacred gem that brought prosperity wherever worn. It was believed in some societies that the stone’s ability to change colour may serve as a warning signal to the wearer.

Turquoise’s prominence in history stems from its use in creating Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s iconic mask.

The colour of the turquoise stone can change.

In ancient times, people believed that the shade of turquoise a person wore indicated the likelihood that they would soon be in trouble. They considered it a foolproof method for determining when to take cover, seek assistance, or make a significant life shift.

A Turquoise gemstone’s colour can change if exposed to sunshine, cosmetics, or heat for an extended period.

Regularly wiping your gemstone down with a soft cloth will help keep it in pristine condition and protect it from damage. If you want to keep the natural colour of the porous stone, you should wash it with water.

High temperatures can damage turquoise.

While most turquoise stones won’t fade or crack when exposed to light, they will be subjected to extreme heat. Colour can be altered by chemicals, cosmetics, and even natural substances like skin oils and sweat, and it dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid.

What You Didn’t Know About Turquoise

Pliny the Elder gave it the ancient Greek name Callais. Aztecs used the term chalchihuitl to refer to it.

For hundreds of years, American Indians in the Southwest United States have mined several deposits. Turquoise was considered a sacred stone by Native Americans, who also employed it as a potent healing tool to forge a connection between the spiritual and material realms.

In addition to being one of December’s official birthstones (zircon and tanzanite), the turquoise stone represents the eleventh anniversary of a couple’s wedding vows.

What Sets Turquoise Apart from Other Stones?

Because it resembles the sky and goes well with water, the most valuable resource in the Southwest, turquoise is a one-of-a-kind gemstone. Turquoise has been used by nearly every Native American culture for therapeutic or aesthetic purposes.

Is There a Depletion in the Supply of Turquoise?

Since mines are depleting, the Navajo people’s most prized gemstone—turquoise—is becoming increasingly scarce. The ring’s silver sides are carved with feather designs, and it features a sky-blue stone with a spiderweb pattern in grey and gold.

To what extent does turquoise vary in value?

Most turquoise stones sell for between $1 and $10 per carat, although the highest quality stones can fetch $1,000 or more. True, gold is the most valuable precious metal. However, genuine, high-quality turquoise stone is much pricier.

Conclusion

Many people who appreciate the colour turquoise are drawn to this stone because of its incredible beauty and unique qualities. The information we’ve covered here is crucial for knowing the stone and figuring out how and when you might use it.

Colour, texture, and the presence or lack of matrix are the three primary criteria by which turquoise stone is evaluated.

One of the most desirable qualities is a medium-blue, intense, and evenly dispersed hue. A few synonyms for this shade are sky blue, Persian blue, and Robin’s egg blue. Ideal turquoise stone has a fine, cryptocrystalline texture with low porosity and no matrix.

Standard quality turquoise cabochons can be purchased for $15–$25 per gram or $3–$5 per carat. However, if all conditions are met, exceptional pieces can fetch $300–500 per carat or $1,500–25,000 per gram.

Amitis Art – Natural Persian Turquoise

We suggest searching for authentic Persian turquoise if you are set on purchasing a turquoise stone. Most people agree that this turquoise is the best of its kind. Since this mystical Persian turquoise is so rare on the modern market, Amitis Art is privileged to provide it to the globe. Visit https://amitisart.net/shop/ to view our selection of turquoise jewellery made with stones from the renowned Nishapur mine.

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 on the Turquoise Uncovered Podcast.

Author: Sohrab Jamarani

Have any questions about “Turquoise Stone: 12 Interesting Facts About It”? Feel free to comment below.