Birthstone

December

Origin

For at least 2,000 years Iranian turquoise has been very prominent in the supply chain. However, turquoise is also found in Egypt, the United States, Mexico, and China.

History

Turquoise is one of the most ancient gemstones, found more than 3,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations found Egyptian rulers adorned with turquoise featuring Chinese artisan carvings. The name turquoise derives from the French expression pierre tourques or Turkish Stone. The name reflects turquoise’s first arrival to Europe from Turkish sources.

Turquoise was a ceremonial gem and a medium of exchange for Native American tribes in the southwestern United States. The Apache Tribes would attach turquoise to a bow or firearm to increase the hunter’s accuracy. Today turquoise is used for beads, cabochons, carvings and inlays.

Fashion

Turquoise is a beautiful gemstone, and one of the oldest. The color of turquiose is sought after for its similarity to the ocean's green-blue hues. Turquoise is a great accent piece for neutral colors (browns, tans, cream, and ivory). It is known as the holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman. Find your fortune with a beautiful piece of turquoise jewelry!

Formation

Turquoise is typically found in dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals containing phosphorus and aluminum. This sedimentary process results in a porous, semi-translucent to opaque compound of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. Deposits of turquoise form within iron-rich limonite or sandstone. Limonite creates the dark brown markings found on turquoise, while sandstone will create similar tan markings. These markings resemble splotches or veins called a matrix.

Cleaning & Care

Turquoise can easily be cleaned at home with warm soapy water and a soft brush. An ultrasonic or steam cleaner should never be used to clean turquoise. Avoid extreme heat and household chemicals which may cause discoloration and surface damage of the turquoise gemstone.

Treatments

Turquoise is most commonly treated with use of a plastic or colorless wax to improve durability or color.

MOH'S Hardness

5.0 - 6.0

Scratch resistance through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material.

Specific Gravity

2.76

The relation between the density of any substance and the density of water.

Refractive Index

1.610 - 1.650

The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to its velocity in a specified medium.