Turquoise

• Overview
• History and Lore
• Metaphysical Properties and Healing Uses of Turquoise
• Protection and Purification
• Main Types of Turquoise
• Rare and Unusual Types of Turquoise
• Factors Affecting Quality and Value
• Caring for Turquoise Jewelry
• Turquoise Crystal Combinations
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Overview

Turquoise is a stunning blue-green gem with rich cultural and spiritual significance. Known for its vibrant ocean hues and sacred connotations, this stone has long been revered as a powerful healing tool. It was first mined in Egypt around 600 BC and has since been celebrated by cultures such as the Aztecs and Native American tribes like the Navajo and Zuni. Turquoise has been used in everything from amulets and talismans to intricate jewelry and decor, symbolizing good fortune, truth, and the removal of negative energy.

• Composition and Formation

  Turquoise is formed from the hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, with copper giving it its famous blue shades. Found in dry, arid areas, it forms as groundwater flows through copper-rich rocks, collecting minerals. When the water evaporates, these minerals solidify into turquoise. Its colors can range from deep blue to green, depending on the presence of other elements like iron and zinc.

• Color Variations

  Turquoise's color spectrum is one of its most striking features. Shades can vary from bright blue to green, with the presence of copper contributing to the bluer tones and iron pushing it towards green. The stone’s matrix, which results from the surrounding minerals, also adds to its unique appearance, lending it distinctive patterns in shades of brown, black, or gold.

History and Lore

Turquoise has been cherished for centuries across many cultures. The Ancient Egyptians used turquoise to create treasures, such as the inlays found in Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb. In Persia, it was believed to offer protection, and turquoise has adorned many historic mosques and palaces. Native American tribes in the Southwest USA, particularly the Navajo and Zuni, regard turquoise as a sacred stone, often using it in jewelry and ceremonial items to bring luck and protection.

Metaphysical Properties and Healing Uses of Turquoise

1. Emotional Healing

   Turquoise is deeply valued for its emotional healing properties, especially in fostering emotional balance and self-awareness.

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     Enhancing Emotional Clarity:

     By clearing the mind of negative thoughts, Turquoise promotes emotional clarity, allowing users to understand their feelings with precision. It helps release past traumas and emotional blockages, fostering a sense of calm and emotional freedom.

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     Supporting Self-Acceptance:

     Turquoise encourages self-awareness, aiding in the acceptance of one's flaws and strengths. This stone boosts self-confidence and supports a more positive outlook on life.

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     Balancing Emotions:

     Known for its calming energy, Turquoise helps regulate mood swings and reduces feelings of anxiety or emotional overwhelm. It fosters a peaceful mindset, making it easier to navigate difficult emotions and life challenges.

2. Spiritual Growth

   Turquoise is highly revered for its spiritual healing, assisting in communication with the higher self and enhancing spiritual awareness.

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     Opening the Throat Chakra:

     As a Throat Chakra stone, Turquoise enhances spiritual communication and allows one to express inner truth with clarity. This energy helps facilitate communication not only with others but also with the spiritual realm.

      

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     Connecting to Higher Wisdom:

     Turquoise encourages spiritual exploration, providing users with the wisdom to understand their spiritual path. It opens the mind to intuitive guidance and divine communication.

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     Promoting Inner Peace:

     This stone encourages serenity by aligning spiritual and physical energies. It helps individuals feel more in tune with their spiritual self, enhancing personal growth and inner tranquility.

3. Protection and Purification

   Turquoise acts as a protective talisman, guarding against negativity and purifying the energy around it.

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     Shielding Against Negative Energy:

     Turquoise absorbs negative energies and protects its wearer from harmful influences, including emotional stress and misunderstandings. It acts as a shield, keeping toxic emotions at bay.

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     Encouraging Honest Communication:

     By opening the Throat Chakra, Turquoise fosters honest and truthful communication. This protection against misunderstandings leads to healthier relationships and a more peaceful environment.

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     Purifying Aura:

     Turquoise helps cleanse and balance the aura, removing energetic blockages and promoting a harmonious flow of energy, making it easier to stay grounded and connected to positive vibrations.

Main Types of Turquoise

Type
Bisbee Turquoise	Mined in Arizona, Bisbee Turquoise is known for its rich blue color and a distinctive matrix of chocolate-brown hues. This hard, high-quality turquoise is perfect for jewelry.
Kingman Turquoise	Found in Arizona’s Mineral Park Mine, Kingman Turquoise ranges from pale blue to deep blue, often with a striking spiderweb matrix. It is one of the most commonly used stones in Native American jewelry.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise	Named after the Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Arizona, this turquoise is prized for its solid light blue color and minimal matrix, making it ideal for modern jewelry designs.
Morenci Turquoise	With pyrite inclusions giving it a glittery, metallic look, Morenci Turquoise from Arizona has blue and silver veins that make it a popular choice for artistic designs.
Royston Turquoise	Mined in Nevada, Royston Turquoise boasts a unique color blend of blues and greens with a striking dark matrix. Its evocative patterns make it highly sought after in jewelry.
Carico Lake Turquoise	Known for its rare lime-green hue, Carico Lake Turquoise comes from Nevada and is cherished for its unique coloring and intricate matrix patterns.

Rare and Unusual Types of Turquoise

Type
Lander Blue	One of the rarest and most valuable types, Lander Blue Turquoise has a deep blue hue and a fine black spiderweb matrix. Its rarity and hardness make it highly prized for fine jewelry.
Cripple Creek	Discovered as a byproduct of gold mining in Colorado, Cripple Creek Turquoise features beautiful green hues, making it an intriguing alternative to traditional blue stones.
Persian Turquoise	Mined in Iran, Persian Turquoise is famous for its robin-egg blue color and minimal matrix, making it one of the purest and most valued types of turquoise.

Factors Affecting Quality and Value

• Matrix Patterns

  The matrix in turquoise refers to the host rock that creates a pattern on the stone's surface. A high-quality matrix can enhance the stone’s value, while a heavy, unattractive matrix can detract from its aesthetic appeal.

• Treatments

  As a relatively soft stone, turquoise is often treated to increase its durability. Stabilization involves infusing the stone with resin, making it stronger and more suitable for jewelry. While untreated turquoise is more valuable, stabilized stones are widely accepted. Dyed turquoise is less valuable, as the dye can fade over time.

• Scarcity

  The rarity of a particular type of turquoise greatly affects its value. Stones from mines that are no longer active, like Lander Blue or Sleeping Beauty, tend to fetch higher prices due to their limited availability.

Caring for Turquoise Jewelry

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  Cleaning and Storage

  To keep turquoise looking beautiful, use mild soap and a soft brush or cloth for cleaning. Avoid soaking turquoise in water, as it is porous and can absorb moisture. Store turquoise jewelry in separate bags or boxes, away from harder stones, in a cool, dry place.

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  Avoiding Chemical Damage

  Turquoise is sensitive to chemicals, so avoid exposing it to lotions, perfumes, or household cleaners, as these can damage its color. Always remove turquoise jewelry when cleaning or bathing to prevent chemical interaction.

Turquoise Crystal Combinations

Turquoise is a sacred stone known for its protective and healing qualities. When paired with other crystals, its calming and balancing energies can be amplified, providing additional benefits or unlocking new positive energy. Here are some of the best crystal pairings for Turquoise:

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  Aquamarine

  Color and Chakra Association: Aquamarine is a light blue stone associated with the throat chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Aquamarine promotes emotional balance, calmness, and clarity of communication.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: Aquamarine enhances Turquoise’s ability to soothe and calm emotions, making this combination effective for easing anxiety and stress. Together, they bring tranquility and help to open up clear communication channels.

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  Black Tourmaline

  Color and Chakra Association: Black Tourmaline is a black stone linked to the root chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Black Tourmaline provides grounding and protection by deflecting negative energy.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: When paired with Turquoise, Black Tourmaline creates a powerful shield of protective energy around you, helping to deflect negativity and protect your auric field from harm. This combination is ideal for personal protection and grounding.

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  Citrine

  Color and Chakra Association: Citrine is a yellow stone connected to the solar plexus chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Citrine promotes happiness, abundance, and positivity.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: When Citrine is paired with Turquoise, it amplifies positivity and helps attract abundance and good fortune into your life. This combination is excellent for manifesting joy and success.

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  Clear Quartz

  Color and Chakra Association: Clear Quartz is a translucent stone linked to all chakras, especially the crown chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Clear Quartz amplifies the energy of other stones and promotes clarity and focus.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: Clear Quartz intensifies Turquoise’s healing properties, magnifying its protective and balancing energy. This combination is ideal for those seeking enhanced clarity and spiritual growth.

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  Lapis Lazuli

  Color and Chakra Association: Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue stone associated with the third eye and throat chakras.

  Crystal Benefits: Lapis Lazuli promotes wisdom, truth, and spiritual growth.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: When paired, Lapis Lazuli and Turquoise work together to open the third eye chakra, facilitating spiritual understanding and deeper insight. This combination is excellent for enhancing intuition and promoting spiritual enlightenment.

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  Malachite

  Color and Chakra Association: Malachite is a vibrant green stone connected to the heart chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Malachite promotes transformation, growth, and positive change.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: Malachite and Turquoise together encourage transformation and new beginnings. This powerful duo helps facilitate personal growth and aids in navigating life changes with ease and balance.

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  Moonstone

  Color and Chakra Association: Moonstone is a white or translucent stone linked to the crown chakra.

  Crystal Benefits: Moonstone promotes feminine energy, intuition, and emotional balance.

  Combined Effect with Turquoise: When paired with Moonstone, Turquoise helps to balance masculine and feminine energies, promoting harmony and equilibrium. This combination is ideal for balancing emotions and fostering inner peace.

FAQs

1. How many different types of turquoise are there?

   There are nearly thirty types of turquoise, each varying in color, matrix, and origin.

2. What is the rarest type of turquoise?

   Lander Blue, known for its deep blue hue and spiderweb matrix, is one of the rarest and most valuable types.

3. Which turquoise is the most valuable?

   Persian Turquoise, with its pure robin-egg blue color and minimal matrix, is considered one of the most valuable types.

4. What is the highest grade of turquoise?

   The highest-grade turquoise is untreated, natural stone with excellent color, minimal inclusions, and high hardness, often given an AAA rating.

Conclusion

Turquoise is a captivating stone with a long history of cultural significance and spiritual healing properties. From the deep blues of Lander Blue to the unique lime-green hues of Carico Lake, turquoise comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Whether used in jewelry or decor, this stone’s beauty and symbolic meaning continue to enchant people worldwide.

Explore our crystal shop for a selection of turquoise gemstone bracelets, worry stones, and spiritual necklaces.