Turquoise jewelry has been around for thousands of years. The
mineral is thought to have been mined by the Egyptians as early as 6000 B.C.
Its name is said to have come about by the mistaken belief that it came from
Turkey, or perhaps, the Persian word, firouze. Either way, turquoise jewelry has come
to mean a particular sky blue color that is most popular in turquoise jewelry
and is the December birthstone alternate.
Turquoise is formed in the presence of copper, which lends to
its beautiful color. Iron often provides green tones, while various inclusions
or oxide stains contribute to the wonderful veining that is often present in
polished specimens. The most prevalent sources of turquoise jewelry come from
Iran, Tibet, China, and the Southwestern United States.
Because the stone is very porous, turquoise jewelry may be
treated in such a way as to close these pores and make it more durable. Moh's
scale of hardness classifies turquoise as 5-6, so care should always be taken
to avoid scratching or direct blows. Turquoise may be cleaned using a
polish cloth and water. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaning. Additionally, a
negative change in color may occur when turquoise is exposed to high heat. The
influence of light, perspiration, cosmetics and chemicals may also have a
negative effect on your turquoise. Be wary of a softer and more
fragile imitation known as chrysocolla. This mineraloid often is "agatized"
in chalcedony quartz that provides the stone with its polish and durability.
Having a similar color to turquoise, this less valuable substitute could be
used in place of the real gem. Find your antique style, estate or contemporary
Turquoise jewelry now!
Much of Forever Jewelers jewelry is antique style and are
unique in the industry of being pieces of fine jewelry that stand out among
other contemporary styles. We offer both, but our focus is on the antique
style settings. We hope you enjoy them.
