TURQUOISE - 6 on the Moh's scale of hardness. A very wearable stone when protected from scratching. Should also be protected from chemicals and grease which may discolor turquoise.
Found in Nature in various shades of blue, green, yellow and brown. The unique dark "veins" often present in natural turquoise are not considered flaws, but enhancement of the stone's beauty. Known in history as the "Turkish Stone", turquoise is highly prized throughout Asia and Africa for it's fabled use as a protective charm and a curative force for ailments, as well as for the beautiful robin's egg blue found in the stones of Persian turquoise. Arizona and New Mexico have large deposits of turquoise and are a major source of the stone along with China. It is considered a sacred stone by many past and present Native Americans of the Southwest United States and has long been associated with their jewelry and art. There is a Buddhist legend that tells how Buddha used a turquoise to destroy a monster. In modern times it is still considered a
symbol of courage, success and love.
Turquoise is frequently simulated gem and care must be taken when purchasing, as glass imitations and other simulants may be difficult to detect. Certified gem laboratories can perform testing to differentiate between genuine and simulated turquoise. Recontructed and stabilized turquoise is GENUINE turquoise which has been treated (as almost all gemstones are) to enhance the beauty of the stone. These treatments are detectable with standard testing and should be included in the description of the jewelry piece or stone.
