How to tell if a turquoise is real?
Simply use your fingernail and run it along the surface of the turquoise stone. If your fingernail gets caught on where the Turquoise meets the webbing matrix, then chances are in your favor that it is a natural turquoise stone. The scratch test is going to help you determine the hardness of the specimen.
What is the difference between genuine and fake turquoise or howlite?
One important factor is color. Genuine Turquoise has a bright blue-green color, while fake Turquoise aka howlite can be a wide range of colors, including green, black, brown, pink, and even purple.
What is the meaning of turquoise Crystal?
It has been celebrated over time as a stone of protection and tranquility. One of the turquoise’s meanings is that of new beginnings and restoring your well-being. The meaning of turquoise crystal is shared across cultures. Where some cultures have quite similar beliefs for the stone, others are quite unique.
How did turquoise get its name?
It was named by the French, originally: Pierre turquoise, which is translated to, Turkish stone. This is because traders would pass through Turkey and buy the stones in markets to trade across Europe.
What is the difference between natural and genuine turquoise?
Turquoise is naturally a soft stone, but howlite (the turquoise imitation), is even softer. This means that if you scratch your stone and it scratches easily, you most likely have a piece of howlite. But if it's very difficult to scratch your stone, you've got genuine turquoise!
Is genuine turquoise rare?
Turquoise is a rare and collectible gemstones specifically because of these so-called inconsistencies. these categories have become collectibles. Natural turquoise is one of the rarest gemstones in the world.
What is the best grade of turquoise?
The most-prized turquoise color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes referred to as robin's egg blue or sky blue in the trade.
How do I know if my turquoise is valuable?
The weight of the stone and the Turquoise Quality Index can help us determine how much a stone is really worth. Turquoise is weighed in carats, where 5 carats equals 1 gram. The heavier the stone, the more valuable it is. It is common to see turquoise priced per carat when it is for sale.
How expensive is real turquoise?
Turquoise prices normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can reach $1000 per carat for the best quality stones. Real turquoise of the top quality costs even more than gold, so it is definitely worth the money. Moreover, turquoise has a multi-layered history that can be traced to ancient Egypt and Aztec culture.
What's the most expensive type of turquoise?
Persian grade turquoiseFor example, Persian grade turquoise is the most valuable, the classic “robin's egg blue” color, because it has trace vanadium and no iron. In the United States, the closest to Persian grade available was found in Arizona's Sleeping Beauty Mine.
Is it okay to get turquoise wet?
Can you shower with a turquoise jewel? As mentioned before, water and humidity are not recommended. This mineral from dry and arid environments will absorb liquids and chemical products (water, soap, cream, ...) and the colour will be altered.
Can turquoise be worn everyday?
You can wear turquoise jewelry every day provided it is cared for. The gemstone undergoes treatments to enhance its beauty, some of these include stabilization, dyeing and waxing or oiling. This improves its color and durability; however, exposing turquoise to heat can cause discoloration and surface damage.
How many carats should turquoise be worn?
Choosing Turquoise Size You can find it in a variety of sizes, although stones of about 4-8 carats usually work well for jewelry. Larger stones would be more favorable for ornamental pieces.
What energy does turquoise have?
But the healing powers of Turquoise also improve the mental state overall by increasing all of the following positive mental characteristics: serenity, creativity, empathy, positive thinking, sensitivity, intuition, happiness wisdom all of which result in a calmer state that leads to greater self-realization.
Is turquoise worth more than gold?
"High-grade turquoise is worth three times the price of gold because it truly is that rare," he says. "Most of the high grade mined in the '60s and '70s continues to trade hands between collectors and jewelers that truly understand its real value.
What are the benefits of turquoise?
Benefits of wearing Turquoise gemstoneIt helps to get rid of bad luck and evil energy surrounding you.It helps in improving your relationship as it boosts understanding amongst partners.It also cures problems like alcoholism, depression, mental stress, high BP etc.It Increases your physical strength and boosts immunity.
Is turquoise going extinct?
Important as it is for the native Americans, turquoise is on the verge of extinction. The supply of natural turquoise has been dramatically reduced in the past few years. Worldwide, China has been the world's largest producer of turquoise since 1985.
Where does real turquoise come from?
Turquoise has been mined all over North America for hundreds of years, but its richest deposits have always been found primarily in the southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada. California has also been a popular source of the opaque blue gemstone over the years, with mines found in San Bernardino and Inyo Counties.
Is turquoise considered a gemstone?
Turquoise is a popular gemstone that has long been prized in many cultures. It's said to bring luck, peace, and protection, and it's also one of the birthstones associated with December. Turquoise stones have many meanings that go above and beyond the beauty of the blue color they provide.
How many types of turquoise are there?
Most people can probably envision what generic turquoise looks like when asked, but did you know that there are more than 30 types of turquoise commonly found in southwestern jewelry?
What is turquoise jewelry?
Turquoise has been the pinnacle of handcrafted jewelry and adornments for centuries, among a wide array of cultures around the globe. It's deep blue and green hues are known for their eye catching abilities, and depending on locality, some nuggets can include other complimentary minerals that make the mineral even more rare, valuable, and coveted.
How to tell if turquoise is dyed?
If you suspect that your turquoise has been dyed, there's two major tell-tale tests you can do. Acetone: This involves either soaking your stone in acetone, or rubbing part of the stone with acetone to see if any color comes off. If it does, this means you have a dyed stone. Destructive test: This test works better if you have large chunks ...
How to tell if a stone is plastic or resin?
The quickest way to telling a plastic or resin-made imitation is to take a hot needle or pin to the surface of the stone. If it begins to melt or produce a burnt plastic smell, it's either plastic or resin. Simple enough! Trade Names: The biggest kicker to fake turquoise are the trade names that it hides behind.
What is the mineral hardness of turquoise?
To begin, here's some basic mineral facts about turquoise: - It has a mineral hardness of 5-6, meaning it is not scratched easily. - It is a copper mineral. - It is void of any carbonates , meaning it will not react with acid. - It has a waxy luster.
Why epoxy turquoise?
The epoxy fills the voids and porous areas of the turquoise in order to enhance the stones density and preserve its color. Only the highest grade turquoise, such as the material from the Blue Moon mine, is able to be shaped and polished without stabilization due to its density and lack of porosity.
Is turquoise a real thing?
Turquoise is one of the most commonly faked or imitated minerals on the market, with a majority of it either being dyed howlite or straight up plastic! Thankfully, there are certain tests or factors to look for when determining if your turquoise is real, dyed, or entirely lab created, which we have outlined for you below!
Is Howlite a turquoise?
Howlite is a white stone that has black mineral veins that are similar to that of turquoise. Therefore, when the stone is dyed it is identical to turquoise. The first red flag when it comes to dyed turquoise (or any imitation turquoise) is the price. Authentic turquoise is usually pretty expensive even when bought wholesale.
What does turquoise mean?
Turquoise meaning is varied and sacred, reminding us of the immense energy of the earth and the spiritual world.
What does turquoise mean spiritually?
Turquoise’s spiritual meaning is that it connects the earth and the sky, as well as male and female energies. It is said to change colors and opacity according to your energetic, or spiritual flow. Turquoise is said to clear the physical body as well as our chakras, or energy centers, of negative energies, enhancing wisdom, compassion, trust, ...
What chakra does turquoise connect to?
As turquoise connects to your throat chakra it enables us to speak our truth or can reveal any hidden truths our peers might be keeping from us.
What color jewelry did the Pharaohs wear?
Pharaohs of ancient Egypt would adorn themselves with turquoise jewelry. The usual and preferred color the ancient Egyptians would wear is red, dark blue, and blue-green hues. This would be displayed using crystals of their respective colors. Carnelian for the red, lapis lazuli for the dark blue, and turquoise for the green-blue.
What is the most beautiful gemstone?
Turquoise is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gemstones known to man. It is a copper-aluminum phosphate mineral and embodies the glistening blue-green colors of the ocean. It is considered to be the birthstone of those born in December. Turquoise ’s properties are water-like and can instill a sense of calm within you.
Why do people use turquoise crystals?
As with the natural law-of-attraction, if you find a turquoise crystal surprisingly finds its way into your life it’s because you require its healing properties. Incorporating turquoise into your meditations can have an immensely positive impact on your stress levels as well as eliminating negative energy.
What tribes believed that turquoise crystals would clear their minds?
The Apache tribe believed it would clear their mind, and if they attached a turquoise crystal to the point of their arrow it would ensure you hit your target. They also believed that the stone could be found if you followed a rainbow till you found its end.
What is Fake Turquoise?
So, what is fake Turquoise made of, and does it look just like real Turquoise? Fake Turquoise is usually made from an absorbent white mineral called Howlite. Howlite is easily painted or dyed to be disguised as Turquoise. Since it is naturally white, it can be dyed any color in the rainbow.
How To Tell if Turquoise is Real: Identifying Factors
There are a few key things to look for when trying to determine if your jewelry is made from genuine Turquoise. It can be difficult to tell the difference between real Turquoise vs. fake Turquoise, but here are some things to look out for.
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You Need Turquoise If..
Are you having trouble recognizing or listening to what your body needs to feel your best? Is taking care of yourself falling to the bottom of your to-do list? Have you been putting off important appointments or action items related to your well-being? If you need a little help bringing your health and wellness to the forefront, call on your master healer: Turquoise crystal..
An Introduction to Turquoise Healing Properties
If Turquoise has found its way into your life, it’s a sign that you’re in need of its healing powers. The Turquoise meaning is connected to the healing energy of water, the life-giving element that sustains the planet and the origins of life itself.
Turquoise Crystal Meaning
The Turquoise crystal meaning is highly versatile. Because of the stone’s connection to the throat chakra and the energy of water, plus its long history of being used for spiritual and energetic healing, the ways to connect with the Turquoise crystal stone meaning are endless.
What is natural turquoise?
GENUINE “NATURAL”: Untreated turquoise with the same properties it had when it came out of the ground (soft, brittle, varying color shades, etc.). Very little jewelry in the market actually contains “natural” turquoise (probably less than 1%).
What is turquoise jewelry?
All turquoise used in Turquoise Network' s jewelry is GENUINE turquoise. Turquoise has been treasured for thousands of years in many cultures. Ancient Egyptians, Persians, Native North & South Americans, and Asians were intrigued by the stone’s beauty and beliefs in its positive energy (i.e. healing, love, happiness, etc.).
What is compressed turquoise?
It is also known as "Compressed" turquoise since the pieces are joined together by high-pressure compression. 3. Turquoise may be infused with copper or bronze, hence the copper color matrix you see primarily in the teal, purple, and green turquoise. 4.
Why is turquoise so hard to make?
Commercially, turquoise is one of the most challenging stones for jewelry production because it is so soft and brittle. Great strides have been made, however, in the treatment methods used to make turquoise more durable.
Is Spiny Turquoise infused with Spiny Oyster Shell?
4. Turquoise may be infused with different materials, such as Spiny Oyster shell. We call it "Spiny Turquoise". “RECONSTITUTED”: Absolutely NOT “genuine” turquoise! It contains a very small amount of turquoise that has been ground into a powder and mixed with other materials and chemicals.
Is turquoise a color?
1. Turquoise may be color enhanced as well (i.e. purple, green, and other colors). It is still the same material and therefore still considered genuine turquoise by industry standards. Often referred to as "Mojave", "Composite", and "Compressed" turquoise. 2.
Is turquoise jewelry stabilized?
Most turquoise jewelry in the market is stabilized, including jewelry sold by all the major TV shopping networks, department stores, and jewelry retailers. Even the highest grades of turquoise, such as Sleeping Beauty, are often stabilized for better jewelry production and wearability. Turquoise Network's jewelry is made using GENUINE STABILIZED ...
How to identify fake turquoise?
Most fake turquoise can be identified easily by observing its color, matrix, and more importantly, the price of the products. Professional identification services can be obtained by sending turquoise specimen to professional lab.
What is the hardness of turquoise?
Turquoise color varies from green to blue, the Mohs hardness range from 4.5 to 6, if you pay closer look of the color, I bet there will not any turquoise in the world has such a unique distribution of color, or that will be the most rare collection.
What are the three minerals that make up turquoise?
First, turquoise is a kind of mineral that only found near deposit of copper, it also requires presence of three other materials: aluminum, phosphorus, and water. The color and the turquoise hardness depend greatly on these deposits it formed on.
Is turquoise fake?
Many turquoise are fakes made of powered turquoise and epoxy around a base of rock, when others are made of a composite of powdered turquoise and glue! There are some unscrupulous local dealers from China will make composite masses of these materials and pass it off as legitimate.
What is turquoise known for?
Color. The incredible color that turquoise is known for comes from a mix of several different naturally occurring things. The main contributor to the blue color found in turquoise is the copper that the stone contains. When this is combined with water, aluminum and phosphorus what we get is turquoise.
What is fake turquoise?
Fake turquoise is actually an absorbent white mineral called howlite. And this super absorbent mineral howlite can be dyed in almost any color imaginable. And when it’s done right, it can be very difficult to know if what you have is real or fake. Best Rock Collecting Sites In The United States. Report this Ad.
How to tell if a turquoise is a natural stone?
This method can be used if you have a rough natural stone. Simply use your fingernail and run it along the surface of the turquoise stone. If your fingernail gets caught on where the Turquoise meets the webbing matrix, then chances are in your favor that it is a natural turquoise stone.
How to get blue off a stone?
In an inconspicuous area, such as the back or side of the stone, simply apply some of the nail polish remover (acetone) with the cotton ball or tissue. If the stone is dyed howlite, then you’ll begin to see blue on the cotton ball.
How much of turquoise is fake?
Believe it or not, but fake turquoise makes up about 90% of the turquoise you come across on a daily basis. That’s crazy!
Why is turquoise so hard to find?
But what you should remember is that any different amount of any of these elements will change the color of the turquoise stone. And that’s why it’s so incredibly difficult to find turquoise in nature that is perfectly uniform with an evenly distributed color.
Is Howlite harder than turquoise?
The scratch test is going to help you determine the hardness of the specimen. Howlite is softer than turquoise, so we can use this to our advantage when determining if the turquoise is fake.
Why is turquoise called turquoise?
Although we at Turquoise Skies do not feel it is ethical to call it real or genuine, these stones can technically be called “Turquoise” because the manufacturer actually uses a small amount of real turquoise in the composition.
Is turquoise a natural stone?
It might have some real turquoise mixed in it during the making of it, but it is not considered natural. This type of turquoise is very common in the market, and it is also one of the most confusing things that turquoise collectors come across. Natural stones are formed in the earth over thousands of years and were formed in a very different way.
Is turquoise reconstituted?
Here is a picture of the stones, and as you can see on the tag, it is marked appropriately as reconstituted turquoise. It is required by law for stones to be labeled reconstituted if it is. If you are buying from a seller or artist that does not have labels on their pieces then you must ask the correct question.
