of its surrounding rock). The most valuable turquoise Major Sources is an even medium blue with no matrix and the ability China, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, United States to take a polish. Mineral Turquoise Turquoise Sources Turquoise was a Turquoise is found in only a few places on Earth: dry Mohs Hardness Ancient Egyptians called turquoise “mefkat,” favorite gemstone and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich ground 5 to 6 which also means “joy” and “delight.” in Victorian jewelry as it was thought to water seeps downward and reacts with minerals. Toughness signify true love. The traditional source for the top color, sometimes Fair to Good Turquoise is one of the world’s most ancient gems. described as robin’s egg blue or sky blue, is the Archaeological excavations revealed that the rulers Color Nishapur district of Iran, the country formerly known of ancient Egypt adorned themselves with turquoise Blue to green as Persia. So, quite often, you’ll hear people in the trade jewelry, and Chinese artisans carved it more than 3,000 call turquoise of this beautiful color “Persian blue,” Birthstone years ago. Turquoise is the national gem of Tibet, and whether or not it was actually mined in Iran. Another December has long been considered a stone that guarantees famous producer of high-quality turquoise that rivals Care and Cleaning health, good fortune and protection from evil. The the famous Persian material comes from the Sleeping It’s safe to clean turquoise jewelry gem’s name comes from the French expression Robin’s egg blue, Beauty mine in New Mexico, U.S. with warm, soapy water, but it should “pierre turquoise,” or “Turkish stone.” The name, which or “Persian blue,” is never be cleaned with steam or th considered the purest originated in the 13 century, reflects the fact that Treatments ultrasonic cleaners. Some turquoise color of turquoise. the material probably first arrived in Europe from Some turquoise is treated to improve its durability, is treated to improve its surface Turkish sources. appearance and polish. Turquoise can be dyed or appearance. Heat, chemicals, cosmetics chemically treated by adding an epoxy or acrylic resin and even skin oils or perspiration can Color for increased hardness and enhanced color. discolor or damage turquoise. Turquoise ranges from blue to green in color. The most prized color is an even, intense medium blue. Generally pure saturated blue shades are the most valuable. Spiderweb turquoise Clarity contains matrix in thin, delicate, web-like Turquoise is semi-translucent to opaque. It might have patterns across the veins of matrix running through it (matrix is a remnant face of the gemstone. Courtesy of The Passion of Colored Gemstones .