I am sitting outside writing my blog and watching Luna catch and eat bugs, as I go into my 7th week of “stay at home.”
Quarantine has not been that bad! One of the worse things (for me) has been not having anything to look forward to. Gone are our wine Wednesdays out. My jewelry workshop in June has been canceled. Our trip to Dubai in November most likely will be canceled and countless other events will not take place. One good thing about all this is that it has given me time to slow down a bit, stop and enjoy the little things.
What comes to mind when you think of turquoise? Do you love it or hate it?
You may not realize this, but there are actually several “varieties” of turquoise, many of which are not what you think of when you think of turquoise!
Natural turquoise is found in dry climates around the world. Mainly Mexico, Iran, China and in the U.S. Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. While the characteristics of turquoise are very similar, different places and mines around the world produce slightly different variations. I could not find a source that said exactly how many different types of turquoise there were. I did find a source that had identified 75 different colors!
Turquoise range from different shades of blue to shades of green.
Some have matrix while others do not.
The result of the different shades of green to blue of a certain mine is due to metal content. Generally the higher the copper content the bluer the stone. The higher the iron content the greener the stone. I am going to touch on just a few turquoise types that I’m either familiar with or that I have in my personal stash of gems
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Iran has been mining turquoise for over a 1,000 years in the Nishapur region. Originally the intense blue of this turquoise was known as “robins’ egg blue, sky blue, or Persian blue. Today these terms are used to describe turquoise’s color no matter the source. Robins’ egg blue, sky blue, or Persian blue is the most highly valued and sought after turquoise.
China is the largest producer of turquoise today. Most of the turquoise produced in China comes from the Ma’anshan and Hubei mines. Chinese turquoise comes in all grades from very poor color and hardness to very hard and high grade color. The color can range from very pale green to a gray blue to deep blue to the most sought after sky blue! Much of the Chinese turquoise has a matrix of dark brown or black. Turquoise with matrix is often not quite as sought after as turquoise without. It truly is a matter of personal preference! Matrix in turquoise can produce some beautiful spider web patterns each making for a unique gemstone.
The U.S. produces quite a few varieties of turquoise. Three of my personal favorite are Boulder, Carico Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Boulder turquoise, also known as Royston Ribbon because much of the boulder turquoise comes from the famous Royston Mine in Nevada. Boulder turquoise is derived by stone cutters taking the natural vein of turquoise and cutting by following the vein through the host rock creating a ribbon or splotches of turquoise.
Carico Lake turquoise is named after the mine’s location on a dried up lake bed in a high altitude area of Lander County, Nevada. Carico Lake turquoise is quite different in that is can come in both bright blue and bright green, sometimes together!
Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine is located in Globe, Arizona. Some say the mountain from which sleeping beauty turquoise comes from looked like a lady with her arms crossed. Like that from the storybook “Sleeping Beauty.” The mountain was named long before the mine opened. But it adopted the iconic name. Sleeping beauty turquoise has the much sought after robin’s egg blue color with no or very little matrix. It closely resembles the turquoise from the old Persian Turquoise mines. The Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine was once one of the largest producers of turquoise in the United States. The mine was closed in 2012.
The above mentioned varieties are to name just a few! Turquoise is not only a unique and beautiful gem but it is said to have many beneficial properties. Turquoise is a purification stone. It is said to dispel negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants. It is an excellent stone for depression and exhaustion. Turquoise promotes self-realization and assists in creative problem solving. It is a symbol of friendship and can help stimulate romantic love!
Who couldn’t use a little turquoise in their life right about now? Shop CKS jewelry for turquoise and more!
Until next time, stay home, stay safe, stay well!
ENJOY!!
cheryl