South Sea Pearl

Turquoise is a beautiful gem that looks so good in silver turquoise jewelry. Chemically it’s a combination of aluminum and phosphates with traces of copper oxide, which gives it its blue color, and manganese oxide, iron, calcium and zinc. The gem’s green color comes from the iron or aluminum and yellow from zinc. The most common color is green for turquoise gemstones, and indeed blue stones frequently transform into green after exposure to sunlight for any length of time. Various blends of these elements give the gemstone its range of colors, with the most highly valued being those with a deep blue color and yellow colored gemstones having the least value. The best quality gemstones, for instance Persian turquoise, usually don’t change color and keep their beautiful blue color for many years.

Some gems have a main color with a spider web matrix on the surface of the gem consisting of lines of a different color. This is caused by irregular distribution of the different elements that are present in the precious stone and the lines may be black, yellow or brown in lots of different patterns. However unmarked gems are more valued than stones with a spider web matrix though turquoise precious stones of a deep blue color, even though they have a spider web matrix, are more sought after than yellow or green pure colored stones. Natural stones of a pure color, i.e. without a spider web matrix, are much rarer and are very highly prized.

Turquoise Treatments

Less than 10% of the turquoise used in jewelry is the naturally occurring, best quality gemstone. Above 85% is processed from rough turquoise so that it hardens enough for use in jewelry. The treatment also increases stability and enhances the gem’s color. Turquoise from several countries, China for example, is always too soft and requires treatment. In spite of this the process yields good-looking gemstones, which, though less valuable than unprocessed stones, nevertheless make superb jewelry. The process enhances the gem’s color and also makes them tougher which gives them a longer life. A treatment method that is used  to develop the color consists of injecting a dye in epoxy resin into the gem. The color is durable and won’t change to green. The soft Chinese turquoise is hardened by injecting liquid plastic into the stone. A further technique is to inject epoxy resin without a color in order stabilise the stone without changing the color.

Simulated turquoise can be made from a base of liquid plastic with powdered turquoise. This type of turquoise is obviously very cheap. These imitation gems may well be sold as high quality natural turquoise turquoise and are often waxed or coated in plastic.

Taking Care of Turquoise Gems

Turquoise is both soft and porous so needs to be carefully looked after. It shouldn’t be worn when it can become scratched and should be shielded from blows always. Never wear turquoise jewelry when you are gardening or washing up! Store turquoise jewelry in its own box lined with soft material such as velvet and never store with other gems which may possibly scratch the stones. Turquoise gems can soak up liquids so do not let them come into contact with household chemicals, oils or hot water and even perfumes and cosmetics. These may be absorbed by the gem which could dull or even change it’s color. Turquoise can be cleaned by using very mild soapy water and drying carefully with a soft cloth. Make sure it is completely dry before you store it away and never use an ultrasonic cleaner as they can result in cracking of the stone.

In Conclusion

Turquoise is an exquisite, attractive precious stone which is rare and highly valued. Although it certainly has some disadvantages in that it has to be looked after carefully and many of the blue stones can change to green over time, it makes magnificent silver turquoise jewelry as the lovely blue color complements perfectly the silver.