It is an opaque mineral with a waxy shine that is worn as a gemstone and collected as an ornamental stone. Currently, it is experiencing a welcome resurgence in the world of jewelry, with designers falling in love with its dreamy blue charms in droves.

The ancient French word for “Turkish” is where we get the word “turquoise.” This is a reference to the merchants who brought turquoise from Persia to Europe in the first place. Because its shade is so striking and easily recognizable, it gained popularity very fast as a term to define the color that lies between blue and green on the color spectrum. Turquoise, which was once thought to be a present from the gods and to bestow good fortune on its owners, is still revered as a powerful talisman that has the ability to bring about financial and professional success.

Learn more about turquoise, the lovely birthstone for December, including where it is found, why the best turquoise in the world is getting increasingly scarce and expensive, and which jewelers are creating exquisite things with turquoise.

Where Exactly Can You Find Turquoise?

Turquoise was formed in regions with arid temperatures, the biggest deposits of which have been found in Iran (formerly known as Persia), the American Southwest, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and northwest China. On the Sinai Peninsula, the first mention of large mines dates back to approximately 3,200 BC. These included the mines at Maghara Wadi, which are thought to be the oldest known source of this brilliant mineral. These mines supplied the pharaohs with turquoise for approximately 2,000 years.

In what is now the country of Iran, mines were in operation as early as 2,100 BC. These mines were the source of the highly sought “Persian turquoise.” For thousands of years, Persian turquoise was considered to be the most exquisite turquoise in the world because of the vivid robin’s egg blue color that it possesses.

The famed turquoise mines at Nishapur in Iran have been working for centuries and continue to be mined today. However, a significant portion of the historically significant turquoise mines has been depleted for some time now. Along with Iran, the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Tibet, China is currently the largest producer of turquoise, accounting for over 75% of global production. However, the color and shine of this turquoise are frequently boosted. Thus, it is not considered to be of high quality. There was once a vibrant population of turquoise miners in the American Southwest, but many of the mines have since closed down. Those companies who continue to create turquoise of gem quality do so by mining copper; the turquoise they produce is a valuable by-product of this process.

How Does Turquoise Form?

Turquoise is thought to have originated about 29 million years ago in the form of hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. Today’s turquoise is a hydrated phosphate. Over the course of many centuries, the process could have occurred in one of two ways: with water slowly seeping through veins or cracks in a host rock, gradually leaving behind a turquoise deposit, or with turquoise nuggets forming in clay-filled openings within the rock. Both methods resulted in the same turquoise deposit. On the surface of turquoise, which might have a gray or gold hue, there is frequently a complex network of veins or patterns that can be seen. When the matrix is both thin and regularly spaced, people often refer to it as a “spiderweb.” The presence of a spiderweb matrix raises the collectability of turquoise that was found in the United States. It has the reverse impact on turquoise discovered anywhere else, lowering the value of the turquoise that is found elsewhere.

What Gives Turquoise its Unique Color?

Turquoise stones can be found in a wide variety of colors, ranging from soft powder blue and medium blue to gorgeous bright green and yellow-green. Although the color turquoise is most commonly associated with the well-known sky blue, it can also be found in other colors. The metals that were present in the rock where turquoise was formed are the source of its color. Turquoise’s chemical composition includes either a small amount of copper, which results in turquoise’s signature blue color. Iron, which produces a greenish hue, or zinc, which results in a yellowy tone. Copper gives turquoise its signature blue color. Iron produces a greenish hue. Zinc results in a yellowy tone.

What Characteristics make Turquoise a Semiprecious Stone?

Even though there is currently less of it being found than at any other point in history, turquoise is still referred to as a “semiprecious” stone. This is due to the fact that fine turquoise is getting rarer and more valuable. Due to the fact that the term “precious” has traditionally been reserved solely for diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, it is quite improbable that turquoise will ever be elevated to the status of a valuable stone, no matter how much we might wish for this to happen.

Why is Turquoise so Desirable?

The color robin’s egg blue, which is characteristic of turquoise, can only be found in a very limited number of minerals on Earth. This is one of the reasons why turquoise is such a popular ornamental stone; it is one of the very few blue-colored minerals on the planet. Turquoise, which is one of the oldest stones in the history of man, has a long history of having a reputation as an extremely potent talismanic gem. Throughout history, turquoise has been favored by warriors, rulers, and spiritual leaders.

The absolute best turquoise is now more precious than diamonds, drawing in legions of ardent collectors who love to nerd out over the various origins, colors, and matrix variations found in turquoise. The fact that most of the best turquoise is already owned by collectors, combined with the fact that mines in the United States have been shut down, making the remaining turquoise in the world difficult to find and becoming increasingly rare, has only served to increase the desirability of turquoise.

What is the Finest Quality Turquoise?

We suggest searching for authentic Persian turquoise if you are set on purchasing a turquoise. 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 jewelry made with stones from the renowned Nishapur mine.