Types of turquoise. What does turquoise look like (white, blue, green and others). Turquoise - properties and meaning of the stone for the person who is suitable

Products with stones, the color of which is associated with the sky and sea, can be found on the counter of any jewelry store or fair. It was he who began to be included in the first jewelry and inlays that people began to make, but even in our time, at the peak of technology development, it enjoys the same popularity. Among the many varieties of this mineral, there are no ugly ones. We are talking about turquoise.

Technical characteristics of turquoise

The mineral consists of copper and aluminum phosphates, sometimes with iron impurities. The composition determines what the stone looks like: Turquoise comes in shades ranging from creamy white to blue and green. In nature, it is formed during weathering when copper-bearing surface solutions act on rocks containing alumina and phosphorus. It has a waxy sheen and often has a dark reticulate pattern on the surface, associated with a spider's web: it is formed by veins of manganese, slate and iron oxides. The origin and structure of turquoise influence the properties of the stone: it is very fragile and soft, has a conchoidal fracture (the name comes from its resemblance to a mollusk shell), and when heated, it begins to turn brown and become covered with cracks. By these signs you can distinguish natural turquoise from a fake stone.

In the parent rock, the mineral is found in the form of a dense mass, veins, crusts, small round inclusions or tuberculate cluster-like formations. There are quite a lot of turquoise deposits. The highest quality, “Persian” or “Iranian”, is mined in modern Iran, the Nishapur region near Mashhad, the capital of the Khorasan province.

One of the largest modern producers of natural turquoise is the USA. The states of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada are especially rich in this gem. Small amounts are mined in Australia, Argentina, Afghanistan, northern India, China, Saxony, Silesia, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and northern Chile. In addition, it is mined as a by-product of copper mining. Stones of different origins differ from each other: for example, the Persian sample is 0.15 denser than the American one. American or Mexican turquoise is most often a pale blue with hints of green. Egyptian - from greenish-blue to yellowish-green.

History of turquoise

We can say that turquoise accompanies people throughout the entire history of human existence. The earliest civilizations: Egyptian, Sumerian, Chinese, Persian and Indian - were very familiar with this stone and had the processing skills to make jewelry from it. It was an attribute of the goddess of love and beauty Hathor. In Central Asia, it was considered an amulet for horses and, therefore, riders: it was argued that with such a talisman the rider would never fall out of the saddle, and his horse would be obedient and tireless. The ancient Aztecs believed that the tears of the heavenly goddess turned into blue stones, and the Navajo Indians worshiped the goddess Ahsonnutli, whose name translates as “turquoise woman.”

Turquoise is very popular among followers of Islam. According to old customs, the bride and groom exchanged rings cut from turquoise, since religion prohibits Muslim men from wearing gold jewelry. There is a belief that it is found among the bones of those who truly loved, and therefore such a wedding ring will be a good amulet for a newlywed couple.

It is known from the history of the stone that the name “turquoise” first appeared in the 13th century and most likely goes back to the Persian “firuza”, which means “stone of happiness”, or “pi-ruz” - “bringing good luck in business, winning victory” , which is a reference to the Eastern belief, according to which it is capable of granting victory in a fight: that is why it is often found on the handles of edged weapons.

In antiquity, the mineral was called “callais”, and in Europe the name “turquoise” took root, which comes from the French “Turkish stone”. However, it was imported not from Turkey, but from Khorasan, a historical province of Iran, where deposits are being developed to this day. From there the stone arrived in Europe along the Great Silk Road along with other rarities: spices and expensive fabrics.

Types of turquoise: what white, blue and green stones look like

Turquoise is divided into varieties based on certain characteristics. For a jewelry connoisseur, the origin and color palette of the material matter. Depending on the color of the stone, turquoise is divided into young, mature and old, or dead.

The color of the young is weakly saturated, ranging from a creamy shade of the stone (the so-called white turquoise) to pale blue. Mature turquoise is a bright blue stone, sometimes this deep, rich shade is called “royal blue.” However, it should be remembered that bright blue callais does not exist in nature: if you come across a product with an insert of this color, it is either a fake or artificial coloring. Dead turquoise is a green stone; it acquires this shade due to the long-term interaction of the copper salts it contains with the environment. This process can also occur in already treated stone, which is why its color may change over time.

The origin of turquoise also affects the characteristics of the stone. The term “natural” means that the piece has not been subjected to any processing other than polishing and cutting. Of course, for a jeweler to use it in its original form, the stone must be of the highest quality. The porous structure makes it light, and therefore the frame can be made elegant and thin without fear. This is one of the rarest and most expensive types of turquoise. Only precious turquoise, a blue translucent stone, is valued higher. It is used in jewelry in its natural form, in the form of plates or crumbs. No more than 10% of the total specimens are considered precious. Fortified is also considered natural, but much cheaper than natural. Due to its greater porosity, it is softer and more fragile, which is why it cannot be cut without the risk of damaging and ruining the specimen. Craftsmen additionally strengthen the stone by treating it with special colorless compounds of natural (oils, wax) or artificial (paraffin, epoxy resin) origin. They fill the pores, the material becomes heavier, stronger and harder, but the color remains unchanged - moreover, it will not fade over time, which can happen with untreated stone, which requires careful wear. An improved version of fortified turquoise is called ennobled. Such a specimen is not only cemented, but also tinted; the initially faded shade deepens and appears brighter. This procedure also has a beneficial effect on the characteristics of turquoise, strengthening and smoothing the surface of the mineral.

How much does natural turquoise cost: the price of the stone on the jewelry market

The most inexpensive jewelry is usually created from pressed material. It is not fake or synthetic - after all, they use natural chips, for example, left over from the processing of high-quality samples or from low-grade stones ground into powder. The raw materials are mixed with adhesive mixtures, and then put under the press. The resulting result is distinguished by its bright, but relatively uniform color and high strength. It is most often counterfeited by painting molten glass, enamel or even plastic in the appropriate color. Odontolite, the fossilized remains of animals, is also used as a simulator. The latter can be distinguished by microscopic examination of the section; the organic origin of the mineral is noticeable on it.

Thus, the color, origin and quality of the stone influence the price of turquoise. Despite the fact that buyers in most cases prefer the rich “heavenly” - “Iranian” color, turquoise of different shades can be found on the jewelry market, and an Australian apple green or chalk-like specimen may be more expensive than a bright blue cabochon. You can also tell whether the seller has real turquoise by how much the stone costs: a natural specimen with a rare color cannot be cheap.

Prices for turquoise have remained stable for a long time. In 2013, a top quality turquoise cabochon measuring approximately 20 by 15 mm could be purchased in Iran for the equivalent of $650-$850 US dollars. Commercial quality stones of the same size cost significantly less, ranging from $1 to $20 dollars apiece.

How unique turquoise can be, thanks to the color and shape of the stone, is illustrated by a selection of photos in the best possible way:

Turquoise in jewelry

Stereotypes claim that semi-precious stones are only suitable for gray-haired ladies, but fashion trends say otherwise. Turquoise jewelry never leaves the peak of fame for long. So, after a boom in the 1970s, they returned the love of fashion houses at the beginning of the third millennium. The first sign of their return to the catwalk was the show of the jewelry house De Grisogono, its baton was picked up by Cartier, Webster Pasquale Bruni, Stephen. Van Cleef & Arpels uses blue mineral along with to create exclusive jewelry.

Hollywood actresses keep up with the trends of the times: Accessories with Iranian stone are worn by Cameron Diaz, Megan Fox, Winona Ryder, Scarlett Johansson, Heidi Klum and other famous beauties.

Who is this bright and original stone suitable for - turquoise? A young rebel or a business woman? Should you wear the jewelry with it for special occasions or with everyday wear?

There is no clear answer to this question, except one: it all depends on the chosen image and mood design. Experiment! Feel free to combine turquoise with your everyday wardrobe. This stone is not considered an evening stone, although some jewelry that includes turquoise can be worn with evening dresses. If Napoleon Bonaparte himself ordered her to replace the emeralds in the tiara, which was made as a gift to his future wife Marie Louise, then why not feel like an empress?

The ancient Arabs believed that “firuze” refreshes and highlights the color of a delicate woman’s face - it is worth using eastern wisdom. Carnations will be a suitable decoration for every day, and original long earrings, complemented by a necklace and bracelets, will create a captivating and mysterious look for an evening or cocktail dress. Turquoise is universal and can both emphasize the originality of the boho style and enliven a formal business suit.

Of course, you should wear jewelry set in metal of the same shade and select it in accordance with the color scheme of the ensemble. They can harmonize or contrast with it; they will complement both a discreet and discreet color, for example, gray, and a bright, warm terracotta. A catchy blue detail will add a fresh touch and lightness to the gloomy shades of black.

Magical and astrological properties of turquoise: who suits the stone according to their zodiac sign

The magical properties of the stone have been known since ancient times: Ritual objects were inlaid with turquoise, amulets were made from it, and items made from it were worn before important events - for example, weddings. The Persian poet Saadi wrote that the stone worn by lovers fades when their feelings fade. As legend has it, Buddha was able to defeat a demonic monster using the magical properties of turquoise, and therefore the one who wears it will be protected from evil.

What does turquoise symbolize, and what is the meaning of the stone? Legends from different countries and times are so unanimous on this issue that we can draw a general conclusion: this is a sign of purity of soul, sincerity, devotion, true love and victory over evil. Therefore, people who are dishonest do not wear it: the product quickly fades and attracts misfortune to them.

The main property of turquoise is to protect its owner from injuries and falls, as well as ensuring good luck in bold endeavors, be it a battle on the battlefield or a risky trade deal. This property of the stone suggests who turquoise is suitable for: people who are purposeful, have a strong character, decisive and strong-willed. In this regard, wearing a turquoise stone is favorable for zodiac signs whose element is fire. Astrologers believe that turquoise is the birthstone of Sagittarius. She protects them most actively. According to the recommendations of the Jewelry Industry Council of America and the British National Association of Jewelers, turquoise is the birthstone for the month of December.

Of course, not only Sagittarius, but also representatives of other zodiac signs can wear turquoise: the magical properties of the stone, for example, will help stubborn Taurus keep their emotions in balance. For Aries, as a native of the fire element, callais will lead to victory in any of their struggles. Sensitive Pisces and reserved Virgos will be helped to establish harmony in their difficult relationships with other people, and the ardent and aggressive Scorpio will find that his anger has decreased significantly.

However, the properties of turquoise are not limited to protection: the stone is of great importance for health and well-being in a person’s love sphere. The ancients believed that looking at it in the morning would improve your mood for the whole day, and wearing it in earrings or a pendant would strengthen the heart and heal fatigue. She helped women in childbirth, liver disease, stopped bleeding and expelled poison from the blood, healed wounds and ulcers. Lithotherapists advise using turquoise to treat stomach diseases and reconcile quarreling spouses. Set in silver, it will help with insomnia, and a gold frame for turquoise gives the stone the property of increasing immunity and normalizing metabolism; in addition, gold as an esoteric symbol has an exclusively positive meaning, which provides a powerful energy boost. However, you should not combine turquoise with chrysolite, aventurine, etc. A favorable ensemble consists of a mineral with garnet, carnelian, aquamarine,. Only blue stones have pronounced energy, and therefore green stones are suitable only for people who, wearing them, symbolize the successful achievement of all life goals.

Whatever your zodiac sign, there will always be one of the many magical properties of the heavenly stone that suits you: turquoise will become a friend, guardian and helper. The heavenly talisman will serve with the devotion it symbolizes, protecting your health, bringing good luck in business, maintaining peace and harmony between you and those you love.

Turquoise is a stone of happiness. The properties of the stone help a person find peace and harmony in the soul. Descriptions of the stone are found in ancient treatises by jewelers and healers. Sign The zodiac can tell who turquoise is suitable for.If you choose stones according to the Zodiac, then turquoise can be recommended to representatives of the signs Sagittarius (blue turquoise is suitable), Scorpio and Taurus (green turquoise), Virgo, Pisces and Aries (white turquoise).

Stones-talismans or have accompanied a person in all centuries. Since ancient times, humanity has known about magic stones, which, through their influence on a person, help overcome difficult periods of life, help straighten fate and attract good luck. You can choose talisman stones based on your birth, that is, based on your zodiac sign. The color of the stone can be white, blue (turquoise), and even green.

Turquoise is an unusually beautiful stone, jewelry from which began to be created many centuries ago. They can still be found during excavations of ancient civilizations in Central Asia or Egypt. Turquoise was especially popular in Islamic civilizations.

In jewelry, this stone is used to make irregularly shaped cabochons. Turquoise goes well with silver, gold and many other precious stones. Previously, the mineral was not turned into gold - people believed that this way all the beauty of turquoise would disappear. And turquoise plates, which are particularly thin, are used for inlay on wooden and metal surfaces and other materials.

Turquoise radically eradicates evil and instills peace and tranquility in the souls of people. Blue turquoise, which is an amulet, is perfect even for kids to protect them from evil spirits. In ancient times, warriors inserted turquoise into the hilt of their weapons to make them irresistible. Riders decorated their horses' harnesses with turquoise to ensure reliable protection. If a person took the path of fighting evil, then he found a wonderful protector in the person of this stone.

Cultists are wary of people who wear turquoise. If the owner of this stone is in any danger, it can crumble or change color. It also protects a person from premature death and poverty. Turquoise jewelry is also recommended for those who are prone to outbursts of anger and rage, to rash actions and hasty decisions.

She protects people and gives them peace, but, on the contrary, brings troubles and misfortunes to villains. Plus, turquoise symbolizes the transcendental world, which can only be reached after death. The Greeks believed that turquoise was the mineral of Aphrodite, and the Aztecs claimed that it was the tear of a beautiful goddess from the spiritual sky.

The connection of turquoise with the image of a woman gave the stone a loving connotation. The Persians believed that the bones of a person who died of love turned into turquoise. In the Islamic world, turquoise symbolized victory, and in the Caucasus, Volga region and Central Asia it was used to decorate the bride’s wedding dress. Turquoise is especially suitable for the young as it is the birthstone of Venus, known for being carefree and carefree.

Turquoise as an amulet is popular among entrepreneurs, bankers and, oddly enough, doctors. In ancient times, people believed that the healer who did not wear this stone was bad. Travelers took it on the road to ensure safety, and Russian cavalrymen in the early 20th century wore turquoise rings in the belief that they protected the horse and its rider.

The cowardly and greedy King John the Landless, who feared poisoning more than anything else, always carried with him a small blue pebble. This stone was given to him by one of the knights who visited the Holy Land and fought for the Holy Sepulcher.

Each time John dipped the treasured amulet into a glass of wine. He believed that the stone would change color if there was poison in the wine. This property of blue stone from the East was widely known throughout Europe.

The stone did not last long for the unlucky and incompetent ruler. No, he was not poisoned, he died of diarrhea. A shameful life ended in a shameful death. This is how the second property of the blue stone manifested itself - to bring trouble to those whose thoughts are unclean and whose nature is ignoble.

The Persians called this stone “firuze”, which means “lucky”. Europeans changed the name to “turquoise”.

Turquoise color and properties of the stone

Turquoise is a complex mineral in its composition. The main color of the “lucky” stone is blue, which is due to the presence of copper in it. The mineral has hundreds of shades, but gemologists distinguish several main ones:

Blue is a brightly colored stone, closer to blue. This variety of turquoise is the “strongest”. The stone can bring happiness to family life and ensure success in commerce. A symbol of sincerity and good intentions;

Pale blue is a girlish type of stone, an indispensable attribute for decorating brides in Persia and Central Asia. The magic of the stone is highly valued by Muslims, because the Koran is inscribed on the poor blue turquoise;

Blue-green is a stone of sorcerers and magicians, indispensable in magical rituals. An ordinary person should not wear such a stone, since constant communication with the world of the dead can cause spiritual harm;

Light green is a stone of peace and harmony. Calms the nerves, helps to recover after a long illness, an excellent remedy for insomnia;

White is a stone that protects in extreme situations; people in dangerous professions (firefighters, rescuers, racers, etc.) should have it with them.

Green, dark green is the stone of older people. More often serves as an amulet rather than as decoration. Not suitable for constant wear.

The properties and meaning of the turquoise stone are largely the same for crystals of all shades, but only natural stones have healing and magical powers.

Stone healer

Since ancient times, turquoise products have been used not as a remedy, but as a way to diagnose a disease. Due to its structure, the stone reacts to changes in body temperature, sweating and the chemical composition of the sweat itself. It is known that Ivan the Terrible demonstrated the magical properties of turquoise rosary to foreign ambassadors.

He invited one of the envoys present to hold the royal rosary in their hands. The stones remained blue. Then the monarch took the turquoise into his hands, the mineral darkened and acquired a greenish tint. Grozny was ill at that time.

Therapists note the following healing properties of the “lucky” stone:

• normalizes sleep;
• promotes rapid healing of wounds, stops bleeding;
• helps cope with stomach ulcers and liver diseases;
• relieves depression;
• strengthens the immune system;
• helps to get rid of excess weight.

In order for the healing properties of the mineral to manifest themselves in full force, the stone must be worn “on the body” in the form of a pendant, bracelet, or earrings (studs). In this case, turquoise will not only help cope with illnesses, but also warn of an approaching illness by changing color.

Amazing - they amaze with their influence in esotericism.

Turquoise magic

The magical properties of the stone are well studied by the sorcerers of Asia. Warriors took the stone with them; it protected them from death and defeat. Turquoise was supposed to adorn the bride, symbolizing purity and purity. The stone brought good luck to traders and artisans, helped travelers and pilgrims. The list could be continued endlessly if it were not for the “strictly approved” list of magical properties compiled by the sorcerers of the Maghreb a thousand years ago. According to this list, turquoise is capable of:

Modern magicians add to the above the ability to protect a person from the harmful effects of the environment, accelerate a successful career, attract finance, cleanse a person’s energy field, ennoble people’s thoughts and actions, and give love to every owner.

The magical properties of the turquoise stone help only sincere and decent people. For an intriguer, a liar, a hypocrite, a stone can become a curse, attracting troubles and misfortunes.

Who is turquoise suitable for? How to wear it?

Regarding the Zodiac, turquoise benefits all signs except Cancer, Virgo and Leo. Cancers and Virgos will not feel the impact of the stone; it can serve representatives of these signs as a good diagnostician of health conditions and an effective decoration. Leos should not wear turquoise, as their strong “fiery” energy quickly drains the stone and causes it to feed on the owner’s energy.

• Aries and Pisces should fully appreciate the properties of white turquoise;
• Sagittarians perceive the energy of pale blue stone better;
• Scorpios and Taurus can improve their lives by having green turquoise amulets;
• All other lucky signs who are suited to turquoise should pay close attention to blue and blue turquoise.

Turquoise goes well with any metal. In combination with silver, its healing properties are enhanced, and when framed in gold, the stone becomes a powerful support for the human immune system. Blue turquoise goes better with white metals, while green turquoise prefers yellow metals.

Turquoise can most often be seen in jewelry in the form of polished stones of irregular shape. The natural mineral is rarely processed into the correct shape. The most powerful amulets are necklaces, pendants, rosaries and bracelets, in which case the stone is in constant contact with the skin and its influence manifests itself without interference.

One of the most ancient talismans that brings happiness and prosperity is a figurine of a scarab beetle made in Egypt. Today, shops and stores in the “land of the pharaohs” are full of such souvenirs, but they are all made of plastic or plaster.

Turquoise is a stone sensitive to all chemical influences. Anyone wearing mineral jewelry should be careful in choosing cosmetics, some of which can affect the color and shine of the mineral.

How to spot fake turquoise?

Counterfeiting of the “lucky stone” began in Ancient Egypt. The modern jewelry industry has hundreds of ways to make turquoise imitations. World reserves of turquoise are depleted and the cost of the natural mineral increases from year to year. The main deposits of stone are located on the territory of modern Iran, and political realities do not contribute to the development of this industry in ancient Persia. How to distinguish turquoise from a fake?

Counterfeit detection methods are varied. Not all of them are available to ordinary bluestone owners. Let's leave microscopes and chemical analysis to the professionals. Let's look at the methods that are available to everyone:

In modern jewelry stores you can always find a lot of jewelry with “turquoise”. Many of them are skillfully made and look great. But, if the cost of a bracelet or ring with a blue stone ranges from 300 to 500 rubles, the stone is replaced with a plastic or glass imitation. Jewelry made from natural stone must be accompanied by a certificate of origin, which must indicate the origin of the stone and the name of the craftsman who made the product.

How to care for turquoise? “Lucky Stone” can be cleaned with a dry and soft cloth. Wool or flannel works well. It is useful to occasionally lubricate the stones with lamb fat, which will preserve the color of the stone. Do not use water when cleaning turquoise!

Turquoise is a semi-precious ornamental stone. In ancient times, it was called nothing more than “the stone of happiness.” He was credited with healing and magical properties. Turquoise was used to make jewelry that was worn as a talisman.

The gem was discovered more than 5000 years ago BC. The first stones were found in Ancient Egypt in the tomb of Queen Zara. Later, the gem was found in other countries.

Mythology says that turquoise is the bones of people who were destroyed by unhappy love. Their hearts could not stand it, and they died from unrequited feelings. Modern scientists have found that there is nothing in common between these gems and human bones, so the myth of star-crossed lovers is just a fairy tale. Turquoise is a mineral that consists of copper, zinc, potassium and other elements, but the healing and magical properties of the stone are still believed.

The healing properties of turquoise have long been beyond doubt among healers and healers. In modern society, there are two types of therapy in which only stones are used for treatment - stone therapy and lithotherapy, but only lithotherapy uses natural stones to influence the human structure at the bioenergetic level. The properties of turquoise in this science are also beyond doubt, which is why it is used to treat many diseases.