Turquoise – the Beautiful Blue Gemstone used in Silver Jewelry

Turquoise is a beautiful stone that is wonderful in silver turquoise jewelry. Scientifically it’s a mixture of phosphates and aluminum with traces of copper oxide, which gives it its blue color, and iron, calcium, zinc and manganese oxide. The gem’s green color comes from the iron or aluminum and and zinc gives it a yellow color. The most common color is green for turquoise gems, and as a matter of fact blue stones often transform into green after exposure to sunlight for any length of time. Various combinations of these elements give turquoise its range of colors, with the most highly valued being those with an intense blue color and yellow gems having the lowest value. High quality gemstones, for instance Persian turquoise, usually don’t change color and keep their lovely blue color indefinitely.

Some turquoise gems have a major color with colored lines in a spider web pattern marking the surface. The cause of this is uneven distribution of the various elements that are present in the stone and the lines might be brown, yellow or black in lots of patterns. However unmarked gems are more sought after than those with a spider web matrix although turquoise precious stones of intense blue color, even with spider web matrix, are more highly prized than yellow or green pure colored gemstones. Natural stones of a pure color, that is without a spider web matrix, are rarer and are very highly prized.

Turquoise Treatments

Around 10% of the turquoise used in jewelry is natural, high quality gemstone. Over 80% is processed from rough turquoise to make it hard enough to be used. The process also improves strength and develops the color of the gemstones. Turquoise that comes from a number of countries, for example China, is always too soft and must be treated. Nevertheless the process produces good-looking stones, which, while less highly prized than unprocessed stones, nevertheless make wonderful jewelry. These procedures enhance the color of the gemstones and also makes them harder which makes them last longer. A treatment method that can be used  to boost the color consists of injecting epoxy resin that contains a dye into the stone. The color is durable and won’t change. Soft turquoise from China is hardened by injecting the gemstones with a liquid plastic. An additional approach is to inject epoxy resin without a color in order stabilise the stone but won’t change the color.

Artificial turquoise is also made from powdered turquoise in liquid plastic. This type of turquoise is obviously very inexpensive. These fake stones may perhaps be sold as natural turquoise and may be coated in plastic or waxed.

Taking Care of Turquoise Stones

Turquoise is porous and soft so must be carefully looked after. It should never be worn for gardening or other work where it can be scratched and should be shielded from impact at all times. Never wear turquoise jewelry for gardening or to do the washing up! Store turquoise jewelry in its own softly lined box and do not store with other, harder stones which could damage the stones. Turquoise stones can soak up liquids so keep them away from household chemicals, oils or hot water and even cosmetics and perfumes. These could be absorbed by the gemstone which could dull or even change it’s color. You can clean turquoise using mild soapy water and drying carefully with a soft cloth. Ensure it is dried completely before putting it away and never use an ultrasonic cleaner as they may cause cracking of the gemstone.

Conclusion

Turquoise is a beautiful, eye-catching precious stone which is rare and highly prized. Even though there are several disadvantages in that it has to be carefully looked after and some of the blue stones can turn green over time, it makes wonderful silver turquoise jewelry as the attractive blue color goes perfectly with the silver.