Jewelry Turquoise

Never Forget About Turquoise!

The beauty and history of turquoise is hard to surpass!  Seeped with history and mystery it is truly a captivating stone.  Turquoise history dates back over 6000 years.   Archeological and literary references to the stone predate the Christian era by five millennia.  

It has been unearthed in tombs from ancient Egypt – specifically the 4 bracelets of Queen Zar, found on her mummified arm.  These date back to the second ruler of the Egypt’s First Dynasty, approximately 5500 B.C.  Aristotle and Pliny both refer to turquoise.  Marco Polo even wrote about it.  Turquoise has always been considered a stone of life.

It also has a long standing history of over a 1000 years with Native Americans who have used it extensively for protection and healing.  The stone was  also used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations, and jewelry.  Turquoise’s use as a healing stone reaches far – it has been used for headaches, eye problems, fever and insect bites to name just a few.  It was ground to a powder then it was drank to cure stomach ailments.  Turquoise also has significant metaphysical properties.  

It is a harmonizing stone that is said to alleviate nervousness, help with problem solving, relieve stress from a hectic life, and promote friendship.  It is also well known for its protective qualities and many cultures carry a turquoise stone with them at all times.

Turquoise is often strung on beads, carved into animal fetishes, or combined with other stones such as onyx, amethyst, or coral.  Its color ranges from brilliant sky blue to green and it usually has black or brown veins running through it.  In jewelry it is very popular set in sterling silver.  Silver enhances the natural colors of the turquoise much better than gold.  

Turquoise is found in North American in the dry areas of Arizona and New Mexico.  It is also found in China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Persia.
Wax Treated: Much of the turquoise from China is wax impregnated. The paraffin treatment deepens and stabilizes the color but only affects the surface.Turquoise can be rather porous and chalky and is often not suitable for jewelry until it is treated.  There are various processes that are used on turquoise.

Stabilization is a treatment  which uses a resinous substance.  The process uses pressure and heat to fill the microscopic gaps in the stone with plastic resin. When cured the product is a treated stone hard enough to cut and polish.  Stabilization allows genuine but lower grade turquoise to be used in jewelry.  Stabilization helps to keep the stone from chipping and prevents changes in color from contact with skin oils.  

Wax treatment is very common with turquoise from China.  Paraffin wax is impregnated into the turquoise to deepen and stabilizes the color but it only affects the surface.

Some jewelry may be made with reconstituted turquoise which is ground turquoise from inferior stones that is molded together with epoxy resin, dyed and pressed into stone like forms – they look good but don’t have the value of a real stone.

Another process is referred to as “Block” where a mixture of plastic resin and dyes are produced in blocks the size of a loaf.  There is no actual turquoise in this mix, it is entirely man mad and should be labeled simulated.  It is made in many colors, and it is used extensively for inlay work.
So when in the market for turquoise jewelry be aware of what you are purchasing.  Simulated turquoise, and a natural piece of turquoise jewelry is terrific.  What ever your needs are just be certain the product you are purchasing is priced according to its composition.  Enjoy this truly captivating stone!!

About the Author

Information on nosey coworkers can be found at the Knowledge Galaxy site.

Where do I find cool turquoise jewelry?

Like that chunky stuff that Sarah Palin, Megan Fox and other celebs wear. Preferably under $50

I’ve found a home maker artisan that makes that stuff for a good price, that if you live in the USA.

http://jollyjewelers.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=8185233

http://jollyjewelers.ecrater.com/

Abeyta’s Turquoise Jewelry Making Process

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Turquoise Blue Hibiscus Ceramic Sauce Dish $2.95 3.5″ D x 1.75″ H. Traditionally these dishes are used for soy sauce and other condiments, but they also make great vessels for jewelry, keepsakes, candles, floating flower arrangements and more. Crackle-glazed Stoneware. Microwave Safe. Handwash….

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Turquoise Blue Fluted Ceramic Sauce Dish $2.95 3″ D x 1.5″ H. Traditionally these dishes are used for soy sauce and other condiments, but they also make great vessels for jewelry, keepsakes, candles, floating flower arrangements and more. Crackle-glazed Stoneware. Microwave Safe. Handwash….

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Turquoise Polished 20# Hemp Twine 100g Ball $4.75 Turquoise 20 lb. test (about 1mm) hemp twine dyed with earth friendlier, low-impact fiber reactive dyestuffs. Bright, vivid color ideal for all craft uses where dyed twine is required. Combine with our natural or other colored twine to create beautiful craft projects. Each ball of twine is individually shrink-wrapped to keep from unraveling during use. Just pull the twine from the center of the ba…

Zam Buffing Compound, 4 Ounce $7.99 ZAM is classed as a buffing compound that wont scratch soft stones–turquoise and similar jewel stones. It is useful in many areas to the woodworker who wants a final polish on tools, or projects. 4 ounce stick applicator. For use with sewn buffing wheels….

Pearl Drills 2 Sided- 0.8 mm, SIX DRILLS $53.90 Made of long lasting High Speed Steel. The tips are designed to prevent chipping of pearls. Each pear drill is double sided. Six (6) Pearl Drills….

5 Feathers 4-6 Turquoise, Genuine Grizzly & Browns Extension for Hair Extension $1.75 5 genuine feathers bonded together at the tip to make one feather extension -The feathers are real so the sizes and lengths are all different. No two feathers are the same – Feathers will not look identical to those shown in photo – that is just a sample piece. All feathers vary in shape, size and slight color variations and your order will be unique. The feathers are 4″-6″ -These are mixes of thi…

6 Feathers 8 -11 Brown Mix Blue Turquoise and grizzly for Hair Extension and kit $8.50 One set of 6 Brown Mix Blue Turquoise and grizzly (NO! wide “fluffy” feathers Salon Quality Only!) Bunched Together make One extension. Feathers range from 8″-11″ Includes 3 silicon micro beads Extension can last for 1-6 months; Feathers can be wash and curl….

Turquoise – 3×4 Organza Favor Bag or Pouch (12pk) $1.75 …