Where does real turquoise come from?

“The most common places known for good quality turquoise are Iran (Persia), Egypt, Northwest China, Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States. Although there can be mines found in many states, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada are the most common places where you will find them.

Where is turquoise found naturally?

Turquoise has been mined all over North America for hundreds of years, but its richest deposits have always been found primarily in the southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada. California has also been a popular source of the opaque blue gemstone over the years, with mines found in San Bernardino and Inyo Counties.

Is turquoise worth any money?

Turquoise prices normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can reach $1000 per carat for the best quality stones. Real turquoise of the top quality costs even more than gold, so it is definitely worth the money. It makes turquoise a highly desirable gemstone also from a cultural perspective.

Why is turquoise so expensive?

The first and foremost factor in turquoise valuation is origin. Today, buyers are looking to China, a historical source that recently ramped up production, to supply the bulk of the world’s turquoise. 2. Prices on collectible turquoise can be sky-high because many come from so-called Nevada hat mines.

Can turquoise have gold in it?

Cerrillos turquoise also holds a special place in Native American history. Cripple Creek Turquoise: Originally found as a by-product of gold mining in Cripple Creek, CO, this turquoise is generally blue to light green – and rarely, and spectacularly, has a matrix of gold.

Is turquoise still mined?

Turquoise in America was originally found by Native American Indians of the Southwestern United States. Soon after that the demand for Turquoise grew exponentially and prospectors began opening Turquoise mines in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. Today most of these Turquoise mines are closed.

How can I tell if my turquoise is real?

Turquoise is naturally a soft stone, but howlite (the turquoise imitation), is even softer. This means that if you scratch your stone and it scratches easily, you most likely have a piece of howlite. But if it’s very difficult to scratch your stone, you’ve got genuine turquoise!

What happens if you get turquoise wet?

Turquoise is a very porous and absorptive precious stone. When a turquoise stone is exposed to water, oils and other chemicals it soaks them up like a sponge. Water and oil can cause some of these metals to oxidize, or in other words rust. As a result of oxidation, the stones can actually change color.

Is Red turquoise real?

Turquoise is formed in an around the mother rock and forms matrix. That is the basics of turquoise in a very general way. For the past few years, there are all kinds of dyed blue, white, pink, orange, red, etc., stone coming out of China that is labeled as stabilized turquoise.

Can I get turquoise wet?

Turquoise is a very porous and absorptive precious stone. When a turquoise stone is exposed to water, oils and other chemicals it soaks them up like a sponge. Contact with some of these foreign substances can have a variety of effects. Water and oil can cause some of these metals to oxidize, or in other words rust.

Is turquoise more blue or green?

Turquoise is a shade of blue that lies on the scale between blue and green. It has characteristics associated with both of these, such as the calmness of blue and the growth that is represented in green. Turquoise can also has the energy that yellow transmits, becoming an uplifting color.

What does turquoise symbolize?

Turquoise, the captivating sea-green stone of the ancients, represents wisdom, tranquility, protection, good fortune, and hope. Ancient peoples believed in its profound power to protect, as well as its tranquil energy and its association with enduring love.

What is the history of turquoise?

The history of turquoise is long and storied. From ancient civilizations to modern times, turquoise history has has played a major role in the popularity of this stone. One of the earliest known turquoise-producing regions is Persia, where historians believe the stone has been mined for more than 2,000 years.

Is turquoise a gemstone?

Turquoise gemstones. The turquoise gemstone is the namesake for the color. Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium , with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O.

Where is turquoise mined in New Mexico?

Turquoise was originally found in New Mexico and Colorado. The earliest Turquoise Mine being in what is now known as Cerrillos, NM. Turquoise Beads have been found at the Chaco Canyon Site dating back over prior to 900 A.D.

What kinds of turquoise are there?

The green varieties of turquoise can be confused only with a few stones that have a similar body appearance; these are variscite, malachite, and greenish odontolite and chrysocolla quartz. (The latter two can be separated by the means discussed above; in addition, odontolite is rarely greenish).