Gem Profile- Turquoise

by Judy Ellis

This week, we're going to explore a material that is a stone, a gem and a color; Turquoise! This remarkable stone is one of the oldest known gemstones in use for jewelry-making in the world beginning with beads found in Iraq that date to 5000 B.C. to the death mask of Tutankhamun and has also been found in burial sites dating from 3000 B.C. Turquoise was also worn by ancient Persians and Aztec Kings with finds of inlaid skulls, and ceremonial masks.

What does Turquoise Mean?

"Turquoise" is an Old French word meaning "Turkish."

Europeans first found the gem from Iran's Khorasan Province sold in Turkey's bazaars.

Pliny the Elder called it Callais.

Iranian miners sought Priouzeh.

Aztecs carved Moctezuma statues from Teoxihuitl.

Emilie Jefferson polishes stones in her lapidary club.

This turquoise she cut broke while polishing.

She finished both pieces and wrapped them in sterling silver wire.

Called Moon over the Horizon, the moon face is carved yak bone.

The Colors of Turquoise

The most prized turquoise color is intense blue.

It's hard to find naturally.

Ancient best mines were in Persia.

In the late 1800s, miners rediscovered Aztec mines in Arizona and the Western US.

These rivaled Persian turquoise and often exceeded it.

Today, the US leads in gem-quality turquoise production.

Finest specimens come from Arizona and Nevada.

Color comes from copper concentration.

Greener turquoise has more iron.

Marcia Kertel created this Kokopelli necklace.

She used sterling silver and raw, tumbled New Mexico turquoise.

Turquoise Facts

Chemically, turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper, aluminum, and trace iron.

Its formula is Cu(Al,Fe3+)6(PO4)4(OH)8 x4H2O.

Turquoise is soft, ranging 0-6 on the Mohs scale.

Most falls in the 5-6 range, like window glass.

It has perfect cleavage and conchoidal fracture.

Crystals rarely form.

How Turquoise Forms

Turquoise forms as a secondary mineral.

Acidic water percolates through volcanic rock rich in limonite, iron oxide, and copper.

Heated underground water rises through limonite rock.

It creates turquoise in cracks of weathered rock.

This happens in arid areas like the American Southwest and Middle East.

Turquoise mines span Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and California.

Utah lacks it, despite copper mines.

Utah has variscite instead.

Marcia Kertel wrapped this sterling silver ring.

She used turquoise beads and Swarovski bicone crystals.

Famous Turquoise Mines

Arizona holds the world's most famous copper mines.

Kingman and Sleeping Beauty lead, with Blue Bird, Castle Dome, and Ithaca Peak also notable.

Nevada produces high-quality turquoise in the US.

It forms as nuggets in fractures and breccias.

Most mines follow a thrust fault from northern Elko County south to California.

Nevada turquoise ranges from intense blue to greens and yellow.

California, Colorado, and New Mexico yield beautiful gems.

New Mexico has some of the oldest mines.

Joan Madouse wrapped this turquoise cabochon with antique copper wire into a beautiful pendant.

Websites help plan trips to these mines.

Some offer public tours and on-site purchases.

Arizona and California museums display ancient mining tools.

They show stone hammers used by early peoples.

A 600 A.D. cache of Hohokam and Navajo hammers was found at Kingman mine.

It included charcoal and skin water containers.

Very cool!

See them at Mohave Museum of History and Arts or Arizona State Museum in Phoenix.

Emilie Jefferson wrapped her turquoise stone.

She used minimal sterling silver wire.

Turquoise Legends and Symbolism

Aztecs have a legend about turquoise.

When rains came, people rejoiced and danced.

Their tears mixed with rain, soaking into earth to create the "sky stone."

North American Indians use turquoise as a power stone.

It connects directly to the sky.

Medicine men include it in sacred bundles for healing.

"Abundance," by Frances Lediaev, features many turquoise beads.

From ancient times, turquoise has been valued as a stone of power.

It is the stone of Archangel Michael, symbolizing protection, courage, and truth.

In Persia, it served as a stone of protection and healing.

Legends say it shielded wearers from harm.

Animals like horses wearing it stayed sure-footed and carried riders safely.

Care for Turquoise

Turquoise can change color over time.

Protect it from extreme heat and cosmetics.

Never tumble it or use ionic, ultrasonic cleaners.

Many suppliers stabilize turquoise to prevent changes and reinforce softness.

Stabilization is a guarded secret among miners, lapidaries, and suppliers.

It hardens the stone to last generations.

We'll cover the process next week.

Gail Maas found this turquoise cabochon in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

She wrapped it into a wire pendant with crystal bead accents.

We've just scratched the surface of turquoise! Tune in next week for more.

Resources & Recommended Reading

Turquoise on Wikipedia
Turquoise on USGS Minerals
Turquoise on Indians.org

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