What is a Sleeping Beauty turquoise?

Known for its unique color that ranges from chalky-blue, similar to 'robin's egg' blue to sky-blue, to deep-blue, the Sleeping Beauty turquoise is for sure one of the most sought after gemstones in the turquoise world. According to research, the darker it is, the rarer it is.

Why is Sleeping Beauty turquoise so expensive?

In 2012, the Sleeping Beauty mine closed and sent prices skyrocketing (not because the mine was spent, but because the copper mine that owned the mining concession sold the mine, and its new owner decided not to pursue the turquoise mining operation, according to Foutz). Buyers used to pay $10 per ct.

Where does Sleeping Beauty turquoise come from?

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty Mine near Globe, Arizona. Since the early 1970s, this mine was a major producer of turquoise. Artisans and jewelry companies love Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for its lack of matrix and reliable even color.

Is Sleeping Beauty turquoise still mined?

The Sleeping Beauty mine was closed in 2012, making its turquoise even more valuable. The “Robin Egg” blue makes Sleeping Beauty turquoise stand out. The Kingman turquoise mine is one of the largest in North America.

How much is raw Sleeping Beauty turquoise worth?

Rough from the mine used to sell for as low as $10 per carat in a wholesale atmosphere. Nowadays, if it can be found, rough can go for as much as $50 – or even higher as demand grows!

What is Sleeping Beauty Turquoise? | Turquoise Jewelry

Which turquoise is most valuable?

Blue 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.

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 most Sleeping Beauty turquoise stabilized?

The Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Mine offers natural Turquoise or Stabilized Turquoise depending on the preference of the buyer. Stabilizing the stone makes the Turquoise resilient to color change and more practical for use in Turquoise Jewelry.

Can Sleeping Beauty turquoise Be green?

These rounded tumbled nuggets of natural Sleeping Beauty Blue Green Turquoise Beads are comfortable to wear while looking great. These natural, untreated beads are beautifully matched and flow along the the strand so well. The saturated blue-green stones have great natural hardness.

Does Sleeping Beauty turquoise have pyrite in it?

The large chunk at the top is a perfect example of Sleeping Beauty as it is found in granite, it's host stone. To the right, a big hunk of pyrite, and below are small pieces of turquoise just beginning to form.

Is Chinese turquoise real turquoise?

Chinese Turquoise is simular to American Turquoise in that the mines produce Turquoise in almost every color and matrix variation. Turquoise was never as popular in China as Jade until recently. But here in the United States some of the finest Turquoise ever sold has come from China.

How can you tell if turquoise is stabilized or natural?

After treatment, stabilized turquoise is harder and is unlikely to break or crack. The stone is no longer porous, so it doesn't absorb liquids or oils and the color is "locked" - unlike natural turquoise where the color can change, or deepen, over time. The cheapest forms of "turquoise" are block and imitation.

What happens if you get turquoise wet?

Can you shower with a turquoise jewel? As mentioned before, water and humidity are not recommended. This mineral from dry and arid environments will absorb liquids and chemical products (water, soap, cream, ...) and the colour will be altered.

Is turquoise a good investment?

Investment quality Turquoise has become one of the most valuable colored gemstones, it has been increasing in value more than 30% per year for several years.

Is stabilized turquoise valuable?

Gem grade stabilized stones usually sell for 3 – 25 dollars per carat depending on the mine they came from, color, and matrix pattern. Gem grade natural Turquoise usually sells from 5 – 300 dollars per carat. There is a wide range of values for both types of Turquoise.

What are the different grades of turquoise?

Standard natural Turquoise is what most mid-range to high end production jewelers use. These Turquoise Grades are rated by AA-, A, B and C. These are the Turquoise Grades that were most common to see during the early years of the Turquoise boom in the 1950s through the 1980s in America.

How can you tell real turquoise stone?

The most effective way to identify real Turquoise is to do the scratch test. Howlite or other materials fake Turquoise is made from are softer stones than genuine Turquoise. Lightly use your nail to scratch a less visible part of the stone like the backside and if it scratches easily, it's howlite.

Is there such thing as white turquoise?

Authentic White Turquoise generally comes from Arizona and Nevada, USA. Although it is called White Turquoise, there is a slight tint of blue or green color from the minerals in the rock that actually make the material test as authentic Turquoise.

Is purple turquoise real?

Often called "The Purple Turquoise" sugilite is actually not a turquoise at all. It was first discovered in Japan in 1944 and was named after the man that discovered it; Ken-ichi Sigi. The first specimens were a yellow color and not purple at all.

What is Navajo turquoise?

To the Navajo tribe, the color turquoise represents happiness, luck, and health. Turquoise is also the most common component of Native American Jewelry. The Navajo were talented in molding turquoise into beads, and making Heishi necklaces. Heishi necklaces were smooth necklaces with stitched beads.

What is the rarest color 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.

What does turquoise symbolize?

Turquoise is a popular gemstone that has long been prized in many cultures. It's said to bring luck, peace, and protection, and it's also one of the birthstones associated with the month of December. Turquoise provides more than just the beauty of its blue color.

How can you tell a Kingman turquoise?

Kingman Turquoise comes from the Kingman mine in Arizona. Kingman Turquoise ranges in color from sky blue to hues of green, the green turquoise actually comes from the Turquoise Mountain side of the mine, and is desired for it's distinct coloring. This turquoise ring shows the appeal of the Kingman turquoise hue.

Is turquoise more expensive than diamond?

Otteson says that not only is really top-notch turquoise considered more valuable than diamonds, but it can be worth much more than other types of precious stones and metals that are often considered the most coveted jewelry staples.