Turquoise – the Lovely Blue Stone used in Silver Jewelry
Turquoise is an attractive stone that makes exquisite silver turquoise jewelry. Technically it’s a blend of aluminum and phosphates with some traces of copper oxide, which gives it its blue color, and manganese oxide, iron, calcium and zinc. The green color of the gems arises from the iron or aluminum and yellow is from the zinc. Green is the most common color for turquoise gemstones, and furthermore blue gemstones often turn green if exposed to sunlight for a long time. Different blends of these elements give turquoise its array of colors, with the most highly prized being those with an intense blue color and yellow stones having the least value. The best quality gems, for instance Persian turquoise, do not tend to fade and keep their gorgeous blue color for a long time.
Some gems have a major color and lines of a different color in a spider web pattern on the surface. The cause of this is irregular dispersal of the various elements present in the stone and the marks might be yellow, black or brown in many different patterns. However unmarked gemstones are more valued than stones with a spider web matrix though turquoise precious stones of a deep blue color, even with spider web matrix, are more highly prized than green or yellow pure gemstones. Natural turquoise gems of a pure color, i.e. those which are not marked with spider web matrix, are rare and are very highly prized.
Turquoise Treatments
Around 10% of the turquoise used in jewelry is natural, best quality gemstone. Over 90% is treated from rough turquoise in order to harden it enough to be used. The procedure also increases resilience and boosts the color of the gems. Turquoise from a number of countries, China for example, is always too soft and must be treated. However the procedure produces good-looking gems, which, though less prized than untreated gems, nevertheless make fantastic jewelry. Treatments enhance the color of the gems as well as making them tougher so that they last for much longer. A treatment method that can be used to enhance the color consists of injecting a dye in epoxy resin into the gemstone. The color is stabilised and will not fade. Turquoise from China is toughened by injecting liquid plastic into the stone. A further method is to inject epoxy resin alone in order stabilize the gem without changing the color.
Simulated turquoise can be made from a base of liquid plastic with powdered turquoise. This sort of turquoise is naturally very cheap. These imitations may well be sold as natural turquoise and may be waxed or plastic coated.
Care of Turquoise Gemstones
Turquoise is both soft and porous so needs to be looked after carefully. It must never be worn for gardening or other work where it can be scratched and must be protected from any impact always. Never wear turquoise jewelry when cleaning or digging the garden! Store turquoise jewelry in its own box that is lined with soft material and do not store with other, harder stones which may possibly scratch the gems. Turquoise gemstones can soak up liquids so keep them away from too hot water, chemicals or oils and even cosmetics and perfumes. These could be absorbed by the stone which will become dull and may change color. You can clean turquoise by using mild soapy water and then drying gently with a soft cloth. Make certain it is completely dry before you store it away and on no account use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners which can result in cracking of the gemstone.
Conclusion
Turquoise is a lovely, eye-catching gem which is rare and highly valued. Though it definitely does have a few disadvantages in that it has to be looked after carefully and a number of the blue stones can change to green over time, it makes wonderful silver turquoise jewelry as the attractive blue color goes perfectly with the silver.
