Learn About: Turquoise

One of the oldest known gemstones, Turquoise has been traced all the way back to approximately 3,000 BC in Persia and was even here in the early Americas. Turquoise is actually a kind of copper aluminum phosphate. It has been recognized as such a unique color of blue-green that its name has become a color itself.

Turquoise will change color in certain light or from a chemical reaction to cosmetics or the acidity in its wearer's skin. Its brown, yellow or black veins that are visible throughout the stone are referred to as “Turquoise matrix”. Some Turquoise is dyed to create a more vibrant color. The rarest and most valuable Turquoise are intense sky-blue or without the markings of the Turquoise matrix.

Said to be a symbol of luck and protection for pilots and flight-attendants, Turquoise was utilized by many Native Americans as a way to open a direct connection between the sea and the sky. Giving a friend or loved one the gift of Turquoise symbolizes friendship and with a purchase of this beloved gem brings consistency, faithfulness, confidence and happiness to its owner.

Ranking a 6 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of gem hardness, Turquoise should be worn with substantial care. Since Turquoise is so soft, a wax or resin treatment is performed on almost all stones to harden them. Special care is required for turquoise regardless of whether or not it is enhanced. Whether enhanced with treatments or not, Turquoise is a very absorbent gemstone so any contact with cosmetics, perfumes, oils, acids, or chemicals should be avoided. Overexposure to extreme temperatures is also discouraged.