TURQUOISE

The ancient gemstone turquoise has long been prized by numerous cultures across the world. It was the most widely used decorative gemstone throughout the Persian and Native American civilizations, two of the most well-known ancient empires. One of the most significant opaque gemstones, turquoise is still a favorite today. It is prized for its distinctive turquoise-blue hue and is the only gemstone with a special hue named after it.

One of the most common bead gemstones is turquoise, which is also often used in bracelets and necklaces. Rough turquoise gemstones that have been tumbled can also be strung on rings and necklaces. Turquoise may be used as huge pendant stones and in rings and is commonly cut and polished into cabochons. Cameos and scarabs are also employed, and occasionally Turquoise is carved into elaborate sculptures. Native Americans still value turquoise highly and it is by far the most common gemstone in their society. It is frequently paired with silver and used in all types of indigenous jewelry.

The color of turquoise can range from blue to green, and it frequently has sandstone or brown or black oxides as veining or mottling. A solid-colored stone is preferred by some while this hue veining is preferred by others. An intense shade of turquoise-blue is the ideal color for turquoise. Greenish hues are often not utilized as gemstones since they are less appealing. Turquoise may occasionally form blue and green flecked gemstones when combined with green Malachite or Chrysocolla. 

The colors of Variscite and Amazonite are greener and gentler than those of Lapis Lazuli, which is a deep blue stone. Smithsonite and hemimorphite are infrequently used as jewels, while chrysocolla is softer.

To improve turquoise's color and brilliance as well as occasionally to lengthen its longevity, it is regularly oiled with oils or waxes. Dyeing is a further technique frequently used on turquoise. Due to its porous and absorbent nature, lighter-colored stones as well as turquoise with a greenish tint may readily be dyed a deeper blue color. There are times when other minerals, such white howlite and chalcedony, are colored blue to mimic turquoise artificially.