Turquoise has been considered a sacred stone for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese, Egyptians and Native Americans believed that the beautiful turquoise stone protected the wearer from unnatural death and disaster. Wearing a turquoise is said to enhance wisdom, trust, kindness and understanding. Follow the steps below to find out how to buy authentic turquoise.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to recognize the difference between a real turquoise and an imitation
Natural turquoise, an aggregate of aluminum and copper hydrophosphates, formed at high temperatures and pressures, is often soft or porous when extracted from the mine. The different colors in turquoise come from the presence of copper or iron - bright blue comes from copper and softer shades of green from iron. Turquoise stones can also have brown patterns, yellow ocher and black veins of the parent rock (matrix), derived from copper compounds. True turquoise has a dull, waxy sheen that may or may not include a matrix, depending on the type of turquoise.
Step 2. Find out that the natural gemstones used in almost all turquoise jewelry need to be stabilized because they are usually too soft to be worn as jewelry
The stabilization process of a turquoise stone involves immersion in a stabilizing compound. This results in the absorption by the veins of the stone of the stabilizing compound so that the color of the gem does not change over time.
Step 3. Learn about the enhancements that are applied to the turquoise stones
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) reports on the different enhancements that are applied to turquoise stones. The consequent treatments must be clearly made recognizable by the seller.
Step 4. Discover the mine from which the turquoise was extracted
Turquoise mines are found all over the place, and each mine produces stones that have distinctive colors and markings.
- The Sleeping Beauty turquoise (Sleeping Beauty is the name of the mine from which it is mined) comes from Arizona. It is a solid stone (without a matrix) and varies in color from dark blue to sky blue.
- Chalk turquoise is mined in China. It is white and porous, so it needs to be stabilized and colored. Chalky turquoise is colored in various shades of blue and green, because the mines contain no copper, which is the element that naturally gives turquoise its distinctive hue. Chalky turquoise almost always has a matrix of light crack-like veins, which are the residue of the mineral in which it formed.
- Persian turquoise is mined in Iran. This stone is known for its very bright blue color, similar to the American robin's egg. Persian turquoise has no matrix, and some people call it any stone turquoise without the black or brown veins commonly found in turquoise mined in the United States. The main thing to look for, except for the absence of a matrix, is a bright and distinct blue color.
- Bisbee Turquoise is mined in Bisbee, Arizona. The Bisbee mine produces turquoise stones in many different shades of blue, and the stones have a reddish-brown matrix. This feature is found only on stones extracted from the Bisbee mine.
Step 5. Buy from a reputable jeweler
Turquoise has a wide range of prices, depending on the mine it comes from. The price, however, can also depend on demand and scarcity (some mines are nearly exhausted). Make sure you buy your turquoise from an AGTA member jeweler. If you want to be sure you're buying authentic Native American turquoise, make sure the retailer is a member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA).
Advice
- The members of the IACA (Indian Arts and Crafts Association) operate in accordance with the 1990 regulations of the US Government Department of Crafts and Objects of Art, which guarantees the authenticity of the origin, materials and affiliation to the artist's tribe.
- Remove a turquoise jewel before applying the cream or oil to your skin because any type of oil (including that of the skin) can alter the color of the turquoise.
- Do not use soap or any other cleaning solution to clean or polish your turquoise jewelry. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any dirt or grease. Remember, in nature, turquoise is a soft, porous stone. It is not hard and resistant like a diamond.
Warnings
- Be careful because when a color stabilization process is used on a turquoise, the value of the gem is reduced.
- Beware of vendors advertising "authentic Indian turquoise jewelry" at wholesale or reduced prices. Reputable traders usually buy directly from a tribe, and the price of each piece is carefully determined to reflect the quality and artistic value.
- Fake turquoise is usually made from plastic materials. If you want to test the authenticity of your jewel, put a hot needle on the stone. If it is made of plastic materials, you will smell resin and the needle will leave a deep mark on the "stone".
- All enhancement techniques applied to turquoise stones should be clearly made recognizable by the seller in accordance with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) standard improvement codes.
- Be especially careful when buying turquoise beads. Unscrupulous vendors may attempt to sell glass or plastic beads that have been colored to simulate turquoise beads.
- African Turquoise is mined in Africa and is not a true Turquoise. These stones are actually colored jasper and have a green color and a dark matrix.
