In 1974 the Arizona Legislature designated turquoise as the official state gemstone. Chemically, Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is often a bi product of copper or gold miningt.
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Is Arizona turquoise rare?
By the early 1960’s, the demand for Bisbee turquoise was high. Bisbee turquoise comes in many shades of blue with webbing, but the highest quality Bisbee turquoise is dark blue with chocolate brown or red webbing. Today, genuine Bisbee turquoise is rare and highly collectible.
What is the highest quality of turquoise?
The most-prized turquoise color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes referred to as robin’s egg blue or sky blue in the trade. The traditional source for this color is the Nishapur district of Iran, so you’ll also hear it described as “Persian blue,” whether or not it was actually mined in Iran.
What is the rarest form of turquoise?
Lander Blue Spiderweb Turquoise is some of the rarest Turquoise on earth and in high demand, Buyers must beware of impersonators, the highest grade of Chinese Spiderweb Turquoise is often sold as Lander Blue Turquoise, it takes an experienced professional to detect true Lander Blue Turquoise.
Is turquoise worth any money?
Turquoise prices normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can reach $1000 per carat for the best quality stones. Real turquoise of the top quality costs even more than gold, so it is definitely worth the money.It makes turquoise a highly desirable gemstone also from a cultural perspective.
How can you tell real turquoise from fake turquoise?
Turquoise is naturally a soft stone, but howlite (the turquoise imitation), is even softer. This means that if you scratch your stone and it scratches easily, you most likely have a piece of howlite. But if it’s very difficult to scratch your stone, you’ve got genuine turquoise!
Is Arizona turquoise real turquoise?
Arizona Turquoise mines are world famous for their beautiful true blue Turquoise. Turquoise is Arizona’s most important gem material.Arizona mines do produce green and aqua blue / green Turquoise, but are more famous for the blue Turquoise that seems to be prominant in these mines.
What is AAA grade turquoise?
Turquoise in Grade AAA in Oval Cut. This Natural Turquoise Gemstone in the AAA Grade, Displays a Distinguished Bright Light Blue Color, With a Good Cut, Good Polish and No Matrix. This Turquoise Gemstone Has Been Treated With A Porous Gemstone Colorless Agent to Improve Durability and Appearance.
Is turquoise becoming rare?
With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare. A sky-blue colored stone with a gray and gold spiderweb matrix sits melded into an intricate silver ring with engraved feathers along the sides.
Where can I dig for turquoise in Arizona?
Arizona Turquoise Mines
- Bisbee Mine.
- Blue Bird Mine.
- Castle Dome Mine.
- Castle Dome Mine.
- Cave Creek Mine.
- Ithaca Peak Mine.
- Kingman Mine.
- Morenci Mine.
Is turquoise more rare than diamonds?
By definition of rarity (not market size) turquoise is rarer than diamonds. Diamonds deserve their place in the world of gemstones as a commerce gemstone. They are an easy gemstone and subject to learn about and grade.
Is Purple Turquoise real?
Hey Pat, I am sorry, but there is no natural purple turquoise. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, both of which cause the blue to green color.The term “purple turquoise” has also been used as a synonym for the mineral Sugilite, but turquoise and sugilite are two totally different substances!
Where is the best turquoise found?
“The most common places known for good quality turquoise are Iran (Persia), Egypt, Northwest China, Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States. Although there can be mines found in many states, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada are the most common places where you will find them.
Who can wear turquoise?
Turquoise is a very effective gem even though it is a goddess. According to Vedic astrology, people of Sagittarius, Pisces and Aquarius should wear this gemstone. Apart from this people of another zodiac can also wear it, according to the western astrology; the turquoise is the birthstone of the people of Sagittarius.
What kind of rock is turquoise found in?
Turquoise commonly occurs in veinlets penetrating weathered, aluminum – rich, sedimentary or volcanic rocks (where it has been deposited near the surface from circulating phosphatic waters) in arid climates, and in small, fine-grained, rounded masses and crusts.
Is turquoise more blue or green?
Turquoise is a shade of blue that lies on the scale between blue and green. It has characteristics associated with both of these, such as the calmness of blue and the growth that is represented in green. Turquoise can also has the energy that yellow transmits, becoming an uplifting color.
Is White Buffalo turquoise real turquoise?
White Buffalo–also known as White Buffalo Turquoise–is a gemstone that is mined in Tonopah, Nevada by the Otteson family. It was presumed to be turquoise and often sold as such; however; its classification is magnesite and alumite. It has been popularized as White Turquoise.
What is turquoise magnesite?
Magnesite is a beautiful gemstone that looks similar to Turquoise or Howlite. When cut and polished into beads, it features a dark thread of veins or a web-like matrix across its surface, making it an attractive gem to use for jewelry-making projects.
What is Sleeping Beauty turquoise?
Sleeping Beauty turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix.Sleeping Beauty turquoise is the favorite of Zuni Pueblo lapidaries and silversmiths for the purity in color. This mine was one of the largest in North America. Now, one of the most prolific mines in the US has been closed!
What is Easter blue turquoise?
The Easter Blue is one of the original turquoise mines located in the Royston District. Historically it was held by Lee Hand and later leased to the Otteson family. The Easter Blue is noted as one of the most famous and original mines in the district.
Is Sleeping Beauty turquoise still being mined?
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is revered and highly sought after due to its pure sky blue color which shows very little to no veining or webbing. It is still being collected from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, Arizona where a small operation of workers mines, processes and ships the stones.