Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market.
Turquoise usually forms in aggregates of submicroscopic crystals that make it opaque. Turquoise crystallizes near the water table in semiarid to arid environments. Turquoise is often associated with weathered igneous rocks containing primary copper minerals because its chemical stockpiles are rocks that have been leached by rain and ground water. The sky blue color is a result of copper. Iron in turquoise leads to its greener shades. Ochre or brown black veining is common, the result of oxides stains or inclusions of adjacent rock fragments during turquoise's formation. Turquoise is the by product of copper mining.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Turquoise is the birthstone for December and the 11th wedding anniversary stone.

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ORIGIN OF NAME
The substance has been known by many names, but the word turquoise was derived around the 16th century from the French language either from the word for Turkish (Turquois) or dark-blue stone (pierre turquin). This may have arisen from a misconception: turquoise does not occur in Turkey but was traded at Turkish bazaars to Venetian merchants who brought it to Europe. In addition, the colour has been employed extensively in the decorative tiles adorning Turkish places of worship and homes at least since the 14th century. Another conjecture is that the name refers to the colour of the Mediterranean Sea on the southern Turkish coast.

HISTORY
Turquoise is considered to be the first stone mined. Turquoise was the first stone that appears to have been duplicated. Soapstone was found colored with a blue and green glaze from 3100 B.C. Egyptian turquoise beads have been dated back to 4000 B.C.
The first known use of turquoise dates 5000 B.C. in Iraq, where beads have been found. Turquoise is Iran's national gemstone. It has been used to decorate thrones, daggers, bowls, cups, horse tack, ornamental objects and clothing decorations for high officials. Turquoise was very significant to Tibetans. The ancient Greeks and Romans engraved turquoise for ring stones, pendants and carved it into beads. Turquoise became more important during the Middles Ages for decorating covers of manuscripts. Turquoise became very popular during the Renaissance, when turquoise was frequently used in men's rings. The Incas carved turquoise beads, statues and made turquoise inlays. The Aztecs used turquoise for inlaid pendants and rings. In the US, the Zuni, Hopi, Pueblo and the Navjo all made necklaces, earrings and rings. In Northern New Mexico, turquoise beads and pendants ave been found in burial sites.

GEMSTONE POPULRITY IN VINTAGE PERIODS:
Turquoise was a popular stone used in the Victorian Jewelry period. Contemporary estate jewelry made from Persian turquoise and gold is very popular.

LEGENDS
In Iran, it was believed that if one could see the reflection of a new moon on a turquoise, the person was certain to have good luck and be protected from evil. The Hindus believed that if an individual looked at a new moon, and then looked at turquoise they would be rewarded with great wealth to follow. The Navajos believed that a throwing a piece of turquoise in the river, while praying to rain gods, that rain would bless them. The Apache believed that attaching turquoise to a weapon would improve their accuracy. In the 13th century, the belief that turquoise would protect its owner from falling was recorded.

HARDNESS
With a hardness of 5 to 6, on the Mohr's Scale, turquoise is considered tough to poor.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Heat may cause turquoise to fracture, shatter or change color. In strong light, turquoise may change color or fade. Ultrasonics chemicals and heat should be avoided, To clean turquoise, use warm soapy water and a gentle cloth. Turquoise may be fade with exposure to perspiration, perfume, hair-spray, cosmetics, lotions and soaps.

EVALUATION:
Color is the best feature of turquoise. The most highly valued turquoise is untreated, dense and robin's egg blue. Turquoise is higher valued if it has an even, intense sky-blue color. Iran generally produces the most valued turquoise. Turquoise with a matrix is less valuable. Of the matrix designs, the spider web is the most valued. A fine polish is possible only when the stones are hard and semi-nonporous. Pale or chalky turquoise is sometimes impregnated with oil, paraffin, liquid plastic, glycerin or sodium silicate to enhance color and shine.

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TECHNICAL DATA
Crystal system: triclinic
Cleavage: none
Refractive Index 1.61 - 1.65
Optic: double refracting and AGG
Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.85 - usually

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