Turquoise gems have fascinated the people of the earth for millennia. Their enchanting blue and green shades bring to mind deep seas and vast deserts. In short, these perfect stones have been desired by people not only due to their beauty but also because of the spiritual aspects that come with them ranging from ancient Egyptian pharaohs to the present day jewelry lovers.
The Timeless Charm of Turquoise Stones
Turquoise gems come into being via very complex earth processes that last millions of years. One solution rich in copper reacts with another one containing aluminum and phosphorus to form these charming rocks. The result is stones having different designs, colors, and features that reflect this one piece’s uniqueness.
These precious stones are found in dry areas in every part of the world. Besides the southwestern United States, Iran, China, and Mexico are the major locations where the richest turquoise deposits occur. Not only do the stones differ in terms of their features, but also in terms of their looks as each place produces them with different qualities.
Popularity of turquoise stones is not limited to cultures only but far beyond continents as well. Native Americans consider turquoise stones to be holy healing rocks or stones. Tibetans use them in their usual jewelry and other religious things. Persian turquoise has always been the source of beauty for the royal family that it has never stopped over the years.
How to Choose Precious Turquoise Stones of High Quality?
Buying turquoise stones for sale can be quite a difficult task if one is not familiar with the trade or the product. Dealers of good reputation disclose all the details including the place of origin, the treatment given, and the quality. Apart from that, they also issue certificates of authenticity and give brief descriptions of the products.
The Internet is a great place where one can have access to many different markets. You can take a look at the stones and be able to judge their color intensity and matrix patterns with the help of their high-quality pictures. Reviews written by customers tell us how trustworthy sellers are and the overall picture of the quality of the stones.
You can feel and touch local events on gems and minerals. Under good light, you can look at stones. The quality of the products will be assured if you know the sellers well and have built up good relationships with them over time.
If you are a jewelry maker or a serious collector, you can buy in bulk at distribution centers. Such areas are perfect if you want to get hold of a lot of jewelry at once without paying through the nose for it. The prices are usually a lot less compared to those in retail stores.
Criteria of Original Turquoise Stone Materials
If one is to be able to tell the real turquoise stone from the fake, they must know and understand the characteristics of these stones. Natural ones exhibit the matrix pattern that surrounds the stone and have slight variations in color. Artificial counterparts, in most cases, are devoid of such alternations and tend to look quite perfect and even.
Hardness determination assists in authentication. Natural turquoise has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale. Imitation plastics can be light in weight and are prone to scratching faster than the natural ones.
Temperature test is also among the methods of verification. Natural stones give a cold sensation when grabbed first and so on. On the other hand, plastic alternatives get hot fast when they are in contact with a hand.
Laboratory gemology testing is the final way that identifies the real thing. A certified gemologist employs the use of high-tech instruments and methods in doing the task. Part of their reports are legal documents for valuable cases.
The color of natural specimens may not be the same throughout. Pieces of genuine turquoise stones progressively show a number of color variations. Dyed ones frequently show very bright or totally even colors.
High-Quality Turquoise include Characteristics
Quality turquoise is characterized by a set of visual and physical properties. A large part of a stone’s value is largely influenced by the vividness and saturation of its color. Brighter blues and greens fetch top dollars in the market.
Matrix can either add to the total value or take away some of it. Beautiful spider-web patterns attract the interest of buyers dramatically. Random or grayish matrix detracts from the market value of the stones.
Stability is equally an important factor that affects both beauty and longevity. There are several cases where natural turquoise is required to be stabilized. Such procedures not only increase the hardness of the stone, but they keep the original look as well.
Size is one of the major aspects that determine the value considerably. The larger and quality specimens become extinct gradually and are very expensive at the same time. The smaller sized stones make them accessible to beginning collectors.
Surface quality is one of the factors that make a difference both in terms of aesthetics and price. A smooth surface which is properly polished will reflect light beautifully. At the same time, one with holes or roughness will not look good and will be of lower quality.
Turquoise Stones in Modern Jewelry Design
Modern jewelry designers have taken a step forward by incorporating turquoise stones to create pretty much new pieces of jewelry. Beautiful both in silver and gold, these gems go anywhere and match everything. Because of their versatility, they can be worn on both casual and formal occasions with equal success.
However, the good old Native American traditional designs do not go out of fashion and are still the main source of inspiration. Besides the combination of silver and turquoise giving the most timeless appearance, it is interesting to note that these pieces not only pay tribute to the cultural heritage but are also able to mix in with the present wardrobe of people.
Differences between traditional and modern pieces become clear through the use of the new setting styles and combinations. Designers are using turquoise for diamonds and are pairing it with other precious stones as well. The styles of these contemporary pieces are so diverse and that is why they are able to attract such a wide range of fashion preferences.
There is an option of using turquoise stones for expressing oneself through custom jewelry. The creation of one-of-a-kind pieces that mirror the artists personal tastes is accomplished by means of expert craftspeople. Not infrequently, custom-made jewelry integrates old family jewels.
Caring for Your Turquoise Stones
If you want your turquoise stones to stay beautiful forever you have to take care of them in the right way. These are relatively soft gems and thus, they need to be handled with care and kept in the right place. Keep a distance from them if you are going to use any harsh chemical or if they are going to be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Only clean the stones with the use of mild soap and a soft brush. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Use soft and lint-free cloths for drying but make sure to do it immediately after rinsing.
The separation of the stones from one another is a safe way of storing them so that they do not get scratched. A soft pouch or an individual compartment is a good place to put a stone in. Make sure that they are not in contact with hard gemstones and metals.
A professional cleaning service is well aware of the requirements that a turquoise stone has. They employ different techniques for various treatment types. It is of great importance to let a professional take care of the stone once a year for it will preserve the stone’s beauty and value in the long run.
Investment Potential and Market Trends
High-quality turquoise stones have great potential as an investment over time. In particular, American turquoise is very rare and therefore exhibits very significant appreciation rates. Depletion of mines destined for production of these materials acts as a supplier of scarcity which elevates their value with time.
Demand for the market is increasing worldwide and there is no slowing down of this trend. More and more collectors require authenticated and properly documented examples of the specimens they are acquiring. The issue of the provenance of the pieces is becoming instrumental in the arsenal of valuables.
Exploring Other Gemstones for Sale
Despite the fact that turquoise gems keep their popularity high, the market of other gemstones for sale provides multiple exciting alternatives for buyers. Lapis lazuli is a good choice if you want a gem with a deep blue color and some golden flakes. If you want, you can also go for chrysocolla, which has pretty similar blue-green shades but with slightly different properties.
If a collector is interested in pink gemstones, rhodochrosite for sale, a mineral sold by trustworthy dealers, would be the perfect alternative to explore.
Conclusion
Turquoise stones are beautiful, have always been, are culturally significant, and last but not least, are great potential investments. Being able to identify quality factors empowers buyers to make their purchases wisely. No matter if it is for jewelry making, collecting, or spiritual use, these outstanding gems never fail to give people pleasure and are ever valuable.
Do not be in a hurry to buy expensive pieces without researching vendors first. The authenticity of the specimens together with the pricing fairness are guaranteed by it being done by quality documentation and dealers of good reputation. What has made turquoise one of the gems that have always been attractive is that they very well can be added to any serious gemstone collection.