Turquoise Beads

Turquoise beads were probably mined, polished, and drilled as early as 6000 BC in the Middle East and the Americas. Historically, Persian turquoise was the finest quality in the world, however, it is now rivaled by turquoise from the United States and China. Turquoise is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral used in jewelry making. In jewelry supplies, turquoise is cut into cabochons, tumbled into beads, and often inlaid with other gemstones or carved. However, turquoise beads can be quite affordable for even the most limited jewelry making budget.

Significant sources of turquoise are the United States, China, Australia, Iran, and Afghanistan. Turquoise, in the United States, is often identified by the source mine's name, such as "Kingman turquoise" from the Kingman mine or "Sleeping Beauty turquoise" from the Sleeping Beauty Mine.

The mineral turquoise is composed of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. Turquoise is often a by-product of copper mining. Due to the copper content, the color of turquoise beads range from green to blue, but can also be a yellowish gray. They often have a dark gray, black, green, tan, brown, or yellow matrix.

The harder, less porous turquoise polishes better than the lighter colored, softer, chalky material. But waxes or oils are often introduced to help polish the lower quality turquoise into fine gemstone beads. Higher polish and brighter blue color are indicators of higher quality turquoise. However, some dark iron oxide matrix is often desirable in jewelry making, as it adds character and interest to the stone.

There are gemstone beads on the market called "blond turquoise" which are really not turquoise, but a stone mined in the same location as turquoise. Also, a kind of serpentine is called "yellow turquoise" and is a mix of chartreuse green and black. Neo-turquoise, hamburger turquoise, or neolite are names used to describe lab-grown synthetic turquoise. Turquoise is often imitated by chrysocolla, dyed howlite, or reconstituted ground turquoise. Reconstituted turquoise is manmade by pulverizing pieces of turquoise, then mixing in resins to achieve a natural hard and stable material suitable for jewelry supplies and crafts. Reconstituted turquoise can be identified by a distinctive odor caused by the resins.

Turquoise is the birthstone for December and an astrological stone for Aquarius and Sagittarius. In Western cultures, it is the gemstone for the 11th wedding anniversary.

Turquoise beads are fabulous with red coral, picture jasper, carnelian or pearls. It is usually paired with silver findings, but occasionally gold findings are used. It looks good with either one.

common treatments: dyed, waxed, stabilized (coated or injected with various oils or resins)

special care: avoid impact, abrasion, harsh chemicals, ultra-sonic cleaners, exposure to oils (even skin oils or make-up oil can change its color), high heat (At temperatures of 500 degrees, blue Turquoise stones will become greener.)

hardness: 5.5 -6.5