Turquoise
Turquoise, the robin's egg blue gemstone worn by Pharaohs
and Aztec Kings, is probably one of the oldest gemstones known. Yet, only its
prized blue color, a color so distinctive that its name is used to describe any
color that resembles it, results in its being used as a gemstone. Turquoise has
been, since about 200 B.C., extensively used by both southwestern U.S. Native
Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico. The Native American
Jewelry or "Indian style" jewelry with turquoise mounted in or with
silver is relatively new. Some believe this style of Jewelry was unknown prior
to about 1880, when a white trader persuaded a Navajo craftsman to make
turquoise and silver jewelry using coin silver. Prior to this time, the Native
Americans had made solid turquoise beads, carvings, and inlaid mosaics. Recently,
turquoise has found wide acceptance among people of all walks of life and from
many different ethnic groups.
The name turquoise may have come from the word Turquie,
French for Turkey, because of the early belief that the mineral came from that
country (the turquoise most likely came from Alimersai Mountain in Persia (now
Iran) or the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, two of the world's oldest known
turquoise mining areas.) Another possibility could be the name came from the
French description of the gemstone, "pierre turquin" meaning dark
blue stone.
Chemically, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum,
turquoise is formed by the percolation of meteoric or groundwater through
aluminous rock in the presence of copper. For this reason, it is often
associated with copper deposits as a secondary mineral, most often in copper
deposits in arid, semiarid, or desert environments.
For thousands of years the finest intense blue turquoise in
the world was found in Persia, and the term "Persian Turquoise"
became synonymous with the finest quality. This changed during the late 1800's
and early 1900's when modern miners discovered or rediscovered significant
deposits of high-quality turquoise in the western and southwestern United
States. Material from many of these deposits was just as fine as the finest
"Persian." Today, the term "Persian Turquoise" is more
often a definition of quality than a statement of origin, and the majority of
the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the United States, the largest
producer of turquoise.
The increased acceptance of turquoise resulted in higher
prices, some of the most desirable materials going for as much as $2,200 per
kg. The increased demand could not be met through production of acceptable mine
run materials. Therefore, an industry emerged--the business of turquoise
stabilization, reconstitution, and the manufacture of synthetic and simulated
turquoise. In most instances, the stabilization and reconstitution of turquoise
involve the use of earthy or highly porous types of turquoise which are
pressure-impregnated with hot acrylic resins. The resins improve the color,
hardness, and durability of the material to a point that inexpensive porous,
poorly colored, or nearly colorless materials become suitable for use in
jewelry. As long as the materials are represented as treated, stabilized, or
reconstituted, the marketplace can accept or reject the materials based on
decisions that are purely business or economic.
Arizona.--In Arizona turquoise ranks first in terms of value
of production and is also the best known of its gem materials. As stated
earlier, nearly all important deposits of turquoise are located near copper
occurrences or in copper deposits in arid desert regions of the world. Thus,
the world famous turquoise deposits associated with certain of the large
Arizona copper deposits are to be expected. Turquoise is or has been mined from
a number of these copper mines as a byproduct, usually by outside contractors.
The financial and operating terms of the collecting
contracts vary from mine to mine. Some of the operations are little more than
the efforts of individual commercial collectors. Some are essentially
full-scale mining operations that are simultaneous with, but separate from, the
regular mining operations; and still others operate on an on-call basis as
turquoise is uncovered by the regular copper mining operation. Regardless of the
size or the sophistication of the initial mining or recovery operation, the
actual turquoise is recovered by careful extraction using hand methods.
California.--The production of turquoise from deposits in
California can be traced back to pre-Colombian Native Americans. Prehistoric
mining tools have been found in some of the old workings of the turquoise mines
in San Bernardino County.
Over the years, the State's deposits have produced a
substantial amount of turquoise. Deposits are located in San Bernardino,
Imperial, and Inyo Counties. The material occurs as nodules and as vein
filling. Most of the nodules are small in size, about the size of the end of
your thumb, and the vein material is about 4 millimeters thick. In the better
grade materials, the color varies from a pale to a dark blue, poorer grade
materials are greenish-blue and green in color. Some of the material has
yellow-brown limonite spiderwebbing.
In the past, a number of turquoise mines operated in the
State, several or more mines in each of the counties. Today, only a single
mine, the Apache Canyon Mine, is commercially producing turquoise. Material
from the mine is a fine blue color, hard, and takes a good polish.
Colorado.--Turquoise is produced from several locations in
Colorado. Currently the only commercial production is near Manassa, Conejos
County. Other production was from Leadville, Lake County; near Colorado
Springs, El Paso County; and near Villa Grove, Saguache County.
New Mexico.--Until the 1920's, New Mexico was the United
States largest producer of turquoise. However, since then Arizona and Nevada
has surpassed it in terms of both annual and total production.
Production of turquoise from deposits in the Cerrillos
Hills, Santa Fe County; the Burro Mountains and Little Hachita Mountains, Grant
County; the Jarilla Hills, Otero County; and the Guadelupe Mountains, Eddy
County; can be traced to prehistoric Indians. Several different mines operate
or have operated at each of the New Mexico locations mentioned, producing seam
and nugget turquoise. Many of the more famous and higher-quality deposits are
economically depleted. Turquoise from these deposits was as good as that from
any deposit in the world and were the first to displace true Persian turquoise
in the U.S. market. Color varied from light to dark green, greenish-blue,
bluish-green, paler blue shades, and fine sky-blue. Much of the material was
spiderwebbed with thin veinlets of limonite.
Currently, with the exception of byproduct material from
copper mines, production of turquoise from deposits in New Mexico, for all
practical purposes, has stopped. Turquoise still can be found in New Mexico,
but production in any significant quantity is a question of economics and the
determination of the individuals involved.
Nevada.--Nevada has been a major producer of turquoise since
the 1930's, and until the early 1980's, the State was the largest producer in
the United States. It is estimated that over the years, 75 to 100 different
mines/prospects produced sizable quantities of turquoise. Production varied
from a few thousand dollars worth of material at some of the properties to more
than a million dollars at others. To date, total production of rough turquoise
is estimated to be in the range of $40 to $50 million.
Turquoise from Nevada comes in various shades of blue,
blue-green, green-blue, and green. Some of the turquoise may contain iron, if
it does, its color is pale green to yellow-green to yellow. The material can be
solid colored or spiderwebbed with either brown or black webbing; the
spiderwebbing may occur in any of the different colors or shades. Some of the
blue material is represented as the finest pure-blue turquoise produced. It can
occur in thin veins or seams or as nodules, with single nodules reported as
large as 150 pounds. The quality varies from hard solid material that takes a
good polish, to soft porous material that can only be use as feed stock for
treatment, enhancement, or stabilization processes.
Associated with some of the turquoise deposits are two other
gem materials that can resemble certain colors and shades of turquoise, but are
separate mineral species. The first is variscite, and the other is faustite.
Both have been mistaken for and marketed as turquoise. Attractive gem stones
can be cut from both variscite and faustite and therefore, would be note worthy
as gem materials on their own.
Turquoise Gemstone meaning
Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was
also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.
Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and
connection to the spirit world
If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would
protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise
is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.
This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one
who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner.
Turquoise carries great wisdom of basic truth within it. It
is one of the oldest stones known. This is a stone that a person must learn to
attune to instead of the stone attuning to the person. It is important that the
owner of a Turquoise give it the proper attention.
Healing properties of Turquoise
Neutralizes overacidity
Alleviates rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, viral
infections
Increases growth, muscular strength
Alleviates pain, relaxes cramps
Contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects
Application: should be worn on the solar plexus
Use with copper to increase the power of turquoise.
History of Turquoise
Turquoise is a stone that has been prized for many years.
The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry. Turquoise is greenish-blue or
pale sky blue. The name means "Turkish stone" as it came to Europe by
way of Turkey. Turquoise was mined more than 6,000 years ago in Sinai. The best
turquoise comes from Iran, but not much is exported now. Much turquoise comes
from Mexico and the United States today.
Turquoise Metaphysical Properties
Turquoise is considered one of the most spiritually powerful
stones on the planet. The stone has a huge following all over the world of
people who believe in the metaphysical aspects of turquoise.
One of the most widely believed perceptions about turquoise metaphysical
properties is the energy surrounding the stone. Both New Age practitioners and
cultures throughout the world believe turquoise is a carrier of positive energy
that allows the wearer to deflect negativity and ward off depression.
It is also believed to be a stone of good fortune. When
offered as a gift, turquoise metaphysical properties will be transferred to the
person receiving the stone.
Many cultures and groups look at giving turquoise as a gift
with high importance. Offering the stone as a gift is like handing someone
positive energy, good fortune and the ability to ward off depression and
sadness.
it is also widely used as a treatment stone my modern day
crystal healers who believe turquoise metaphysical properties are strong enough
to treat physical conditions – even protect against the negative impacts of
alcohol, pollution and other toxins.
The spiritual turquoise metaphysical properties span the
course of history. Many of the legends that transfer into modern American
society were introduced by the Native Americans of the Southwest.
It is believed the stone can enhance psychic receptors in
the body and mind, helping the wearer connect with the spiritual realm.
Turquoise also protects from supernatural spirits that wish harm on the living
realm.
Due to the psychic energy, turquoise can also aid in
meditation, helping to clear the mind and opening a channel between the living
and spiritual world
There are scores of turquoise myths related to the spiritual
powers of this remarkable stone. It has symbolized wealth and good fortune in
cultures throughout the world and remains one of the most revered power stones
to this day.
