Turquoise – an Exquisite Stone used in Silver Jewelry
Turquoise is an attractive stone that makes exquisite silver turquoise jewelry. Chemically it’s a mixture of phosphates and aluminum with some traces of copper oxide, from which arises its blue color, and iron, calcium, zinc and manganese oxide. The gem’s green color arises from the iron or aluminum and and zinc gives it a yellow color. The most common color is green for turquoise gems, and furthermore blue stones often turn green when exposed to sunlight for any length of time. Different mixtures of these elements give the gemstone its variety of colors, with the most highly prized being those with a deep blue color and yellow gemstones having the lowest value. The finest quality stones, for instance Persian turquoise, do not tend to fade and maintain their beautiful blue color for many years.
Some stones have a main 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 that are present in the stone and the lines can be brown, yellow or black in lots of patterns. However unmarked gemstones are more sought after than gems with a spider web matrix although turquoise precious stones of a deep blue color, even with spider web matrix, are more highly prized than green or yellow pure gemstones. Untreated gems of a pure color, that is those which are not marked with spider web matrix, are rarer and are very highly prized.
Treating Turquoise
Less than 10% of turquoise used in jewelry is natural, best quality gemstone. Over 90% is processed from soft turquoise so that it hardens enough to be used in jewelry. This treatment also improves resilience and enhances the color of the stones. Turquoise from a few countries, for example China, is much too soft and must be treated. Nevertheless the procedure produces beautiful gemstones, which, although less highly prized than unprocessed stones, nevertheless make wonderful jewelry. The process enhances the color of the gemstones and also makes them tougher so that they last for much longer. A process used to develop the color involves injecting an epoxy resin containing a dye into the gem. The color is durable and will not fade. Chinese turquoise is toughened by injecting stones with liquid plastic. Another technique is to inject epoxy resin without a color in order harden the stone but won’t change the color.
Synthetic turquoise is also made from liquid plastic blended with powdered turquoise. This type of turquoise is of course very low-priced. These fake stones may well be sold as high quality natural turquoise turquoise and may be waxed or plastic coated.
Care of Turquoise Stones
Turquoise is porous and soft so needs to be carefully looked after. It should never be worn at times when scratching can be occur and must be protected from blows at all times. On no account wear turquoise jewelry when you are gardening or washing up! Store turquoise jewelry in a box lined with soft material such as velvet and never store with other, harder gemstones which may possibly damage it. Turquoise gems can soak up liquids so keep them away from household chemicals, oils or hot water and even cosmetics and perfumes. These may be absorbed by the stone which may change color and lose it’s lustre. Turquoise can be cleaned with mild soapy water and drying thoroughly with a soft cloth. Take care it is thoroughly dried before you store it away and on no account use an ultrasonic cleaner which may result in cracking of the gemstone.
Conclusion
Turquoise is a beautiful, eye-catching gem which is rare and sought after. While there are a few disadvantages in that it has to be taken great care of and a number of the blue stones can fade to green over time, it makes magnificent silver turquoise jewelry as the attractive blue color looks perfect with the silver.
