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TURQUOISE
JEWELLERY
Turquoise is
an opaque, blue to green mineral. Made up of hydrous
phosphates of copper and aluminum, it is rare and
valuable in finer grades. Turquoise had been prized as
a gemstone for thousands of years. No one knows exactly
when it came to our attention, but there are references
in the bible of Aaron wearing a robe decorated with
turquoise. King Tut's burial mask was adorned with
turquoise as well. There is evidence that the ancient
Egyptians mined turquoise as far back as 6000 BC.
The word
“turquoise” is believed to have been derived from the
French term “pierre turquoise” which means “stone of
Turkey”. During the 16th century there was a
misconception that the gemstones bought from Turkish
traders actually originated in Turkey, when in fact the
stones actually originated in Persia (Iran).
In 17th
century England turquoise was considered to be a sign of
a well dressed gentleman. In 1810 Napoleon
Bonaparte presented his Empress Marie Louise with a
wedding gift – a crown of diamonds and turquoise.
Originally the crown was made with diamonds and
emeralds, but Napoleon had all 79 emeralds removed and
replaced with turquoise.
Iran is the
worlds largest producer of turquoise. In North America,
great stores are are found in California and New Mexico,
which makes it a natural choice for use in Native
American jewellery.
Considering
the millions of years it takes turquoise to form, you
will want to handle it with care. Turquoise is
naturally porous and can suffer color change if it is
not cared for. Exposure to oil, perfume, cosmetics,
high heat or direct sunlight can affect its color. It
is recommended that you clean your turquoise jewellery
with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then drying it
thoroughly. Also, remember to store your turquoise away
from other jewellery to avoid scratches.
Turquoise has
been considered a stone of good life and good fortune.
It is believed to have healing properties, and is
regarded as a holy stone, good luck charm, or talisman.
Throughout history it was worn as protection to ward off
the influence of dark and evil powers. Nowadays it is
considered the ideal talisman for aviators, flight staff
and other risky professions.
Global
reserves of turquoise have been dwindling over the last
several years, thus making the purchase of high quality
turquoise an investment. With higher demand for the
stone and dwindling supply, prices are expected to
skyrocket, making turquoise an appreciating asset such
as diamonds and other precious gems.
Learn about other Gems:
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