Turquoise, with its captivating blue and green hues, has been cherished for millennia by cultures around the world. From ancient Egyptian pharaohs to Native American artisans and modern-day jewelry lovers, this striking gemstone holds a unique allure. It's more than just a beautiful stone; it often carries deep cultural significance, symbolizing protection, good fortune, and a connection to the natural world.
However, as with many valuable materials, the market for turquoise includes everything from exquisite natural specimens to clever imitations and treated stones. Understanding the nuances of turquoise is essential for any discerning buyer. Knowing what to look for and what to avoid will not only protect your investment but also deepen your appreciation for this remarkable gemstone. This guide will empower you to navigate the market confidently and choose a piece of turquoise jewelry that you'll treasure.
Why Understanding Turquoise is Key:
For anyone looking to purchase turquoise, whether it's a statement necklace, a delicate ring, or a piece of inlay art, knowledge is your best tool. It allows you to appreciate the craftsmanship, understand the value, and, most importantly, ensure you're getting what you pay for. Learning about turquoise helps you ask the right questions and identify authentic, quality pieces from those that are less desirable or misrepresented.
What to Look For When Buying Turquoise Jewelry:
Authentic turquoise is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, and its appearance can vary greatly depending on the mine it came from and any treatments applied. Here’s how to spot the real deal and make a quality purchase:
- Color and Matrix: Genuine turquoise exhibits a range of colors, from sky blue to greenish-blue and even yellowish-green. The "matrix" refers to the host rock patterns (often brown, black, or golden) that run through the stone. Natural turquoise typically has an irregular, often web-like matrix. Be cautious with perfectly uniform color and a complete lack of matrix, or an overly consistent, shoe-polish-like black matrix, as these can sometimes indicate imitations or heavily processed stones.
- Hardness and Feel: Natural, high-quality turquoise is relatively soft compared to many other gemstones (around 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale) but should still feel like a stone. It often has a waxy or matte luster. Plastic or resin imitations will feel lighter, warmer to the touch than stone, and may sound dull if tapped gently. Real turquoise generally feels cool and dense.
- Price: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. High-quality, natural turquoise is a valuable gemstone. Exceptionally low prices, especially for large, vibrant pieces, can indicate that the stone is treated, reconstituted (made from turquoise powder mixed with resin), or entirely fake.
- The Source and Seller's Transparency: This is crucial. Reputable jewelers and gem experts will be knowledgeable and transparent about their stones. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the turquoise's origin (if known), whether it's natural, stabilized, color-enhanced, or reconstituted.
- A Note on Reputable Sellers: Companies that specialize in genuine gemstones, like Barse Jewelry, pride themselves on their gem expertise and commitment to authenticity, ensuring they do not deal in fake gems. Look for sellers who willingly share information and educate their customers.
- Examine the Setting and Craftsmanship: Look at the quality of the metalwork (silver and other metals are common). Authentic pieces often showcase skilled craftsmanship. Check for hallmarks or artist signatures, though their absence doesn't always mean a piece isn't genuine, especially with vintage items.
- Understanding Treatments:
- Natural: Untreated turquoise, valued for its pure state but often rarer and more expensive, especially in harder grades.
- Stabilized: Most turquoise available today is stabilized. This process involves infusing the stone with a clear resin to enhance its hardness, durability, and color. It is a widely accepted practice for genuine turquoise as it makes more of the porous natural material usable in jewelry.
- Color-Enhanced: Sometimes, along with stabilization, dyes are added to deepen or even out the color. This should always be disclosed.
- Sellers should be upfront about these treatments.
What to Avoid When Buying Turquoise:
Navigating the turquoise market means being aware of common pitfalls:
- "Block" or "Reconstituted" Turquoise Sold as Natural: This material is made from turquoise dust and powder mixed with epoxy resin and then compressed. While it contains real turquoise particles, it's not a solid, natural stone and is significantly less valuable. It often looks too uniform in color and matrix.
- Dyed Howlite or Magnesite: These are white, porous stones that are commonly dyed blue to imitate turquoise. They often have a matrix pattern that looks too much like ink lines or is too uniform. Howlite is also softer than turquoise.
- Plastic or Resin Imitations: These are entirely man-made and contain no actual turquoise. They are lightweight, feel warm to the touch, and may have a very artificial, shiny appearance or overly perfect coloration.
- Unnatural Colors: Be wary of turquoise that is an extremely vibrant, almost electric blue or an unusual, uniform green if it's being sold as "natural" at a low price. While natural turquoise has a diverse color range, some fakes are dyed in hues that don't typically occur naturally without enhancement.
- Vague or Misleading Descriptions: If a seller is evasive about the stone's origin, treatment, or authenticity, it's a major warning sign. Terms like "genuine" can be used loosely. Look for specifics like "natural," "stabilized," "color-enhanced," or "reconstituted."
- Pressure Sales Tactics: Reputable sellers will allow you time to examine pieces, ask questions, and make an informed decision. High-pressure tactics can be a red flag.
A Final Thought on Your Turquoise Journey: Buying turquoise should be an enjoyable experience. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can confidently select a beautiful and authentic piece of jewelry that resonates with you, whether it's from a local artisan, a specialized online retailer like Barse Jewelry, or a treasured heirloom.
For more insights into the world of unique finds and cultural expression, be sure to check out our other articles on santafeinsiders.com and visit our YouTube channel @santafeinsiders.
5 Things Most People Don't Know About Turquoise:
- It's a "Living" Stone (Sometimes): The color of some untreated natural turquoise can change over time, deepening or shifting towards greener hues due to the absorption of oils from the skin or exposure to light and chemicals. This is why antique pieces sometimes have a distinct patina.
- Mine-Specific Characteristics: Just like wine reflects its terroir, turquoise often reflects its mine of origin. Experienced collectors can sometimes identify a stone by its specific color and matrix pattern (e.g., the intense blue of Sleeping Beauty turquoise, the dark spiderweb matrix of Lander Blue, or the greenish tones of many Nevada mines).
- Ancient Global Use: While strongly associated with the American Southwest, turquoise has been mined and cherished in regions like ancient Persia (Iran – a historical source of some of the finest turquoise), Egypt, Tibet, and China for thousands of years.
- "Stabilization" is Not Necessarily Bad (and often essential): Much of the turquoise available today is "stabilized." This process makes softer or more porous genuine turquoise hard and durable enough for jewelry. It's a widely accepted treatment, as long as it's disclosed, and doesn't mean the stone isn't real turquoise.
- The Word "Turquoise" Means "Turkish Stone": The gemstone first made its way to Europe via Turkish trade routes (originating from Persian mines), leading Europeans to name it after Turkey, mistakenly believing it originated there.