What is Egyptian turquoise?

Egyptian Turquoise was first found in Egypt well over 7,500 years ago. It was highly coveted by the Egyptians to be a secred stone with metaphysical powers. Egyptian Turquoise was used by Egyptian healers, worn Kings, Pharaohs, Rulers and important people from that early period in world history.

Is Egyptian turquoise rare?

It is a relatively rare stone, mined today primarily in the American Southwest, Iran, and China; the sources of turquoise most easily available to the ancient Egyptians were in the southwest Sinai, from deposits that apparently were long ago substantially depleted.

Did the Egyptians have turquoise?

The earliest evidence of turquoise gemstones comes from ancient Egyptian tombs, which contain elaborate turquoise jewelry dating back to 3000 BCE. Egyptians set turquoise in gold necklaces and rings, used it as inlay, and carved it into scarabs.

Where is Egyptian turquoise from?

These famous mines in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt produced gems which adorned the necks of ancient Pharaohs. With bright greenish blues and a webbing of rich red and copper hues, each piece of Egyptian Turquoise is completely unique.

What is the most valuable type 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.

Chinese, Persian, and Egyptian Turquoise

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.

How do I know if my turquoise is real?

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!

What is Persian turquoise?

Persian Turquoise comes from mines located in Iran. Even though turquoise is generally a softer stone, the turquoise mined from Persia tends to be harder than turquoise mined anywhere else. It is deviated up into 3 quality classifications: Angushtari, which is the finest quality, with little to no markings or matrix.

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.

What is Chinese turquoise?

Chinese turquoise ranges all across the spectrum from deep greens to dark blues and even yellows. The best and most collectible material is dark blue with excellent spider-webbing. Most of the matrix is dark brown or black. Today, most of the turquoise produced in China comes from the Ma'anshan and Hubei mines.

What Stone did the Egyptians use?

Limestone and sandstone were the main building stones of ancient Egypt. From Early Dynastic times onward, limestone was the material of choice for pyramids, mastaba tombs, and temples within the limestone region.

Who is the turquoise Goddess?

Hathor was a cow goddess and the mother, wife and daughter of the sun god, Ra. She was known as 'Lady of Turquoise', 'Mistress of Turquoise' and 'Lady of Turquoise Country' as she was the protector of the desert region where this beautiful stone is mined.

What cultures used turquoise?

These mining deposits supplied turquoise for the use in trade, art and adornment for Egyptian, Persian, Chinese, Tibetan, Incan, Mesoamerican and Southwestern Native American cultures.

Where is the best turquoise in the world?

"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.

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.

Is turquoise jewelry 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.

Who should wear turquoise?

1. Who should wear a turquoise stone? Despite its goddess status, turquoise is a powerful gem. Sagittarius, Pisces, and Aquarius, according to Vedic astrology, should wear this gemstone.

Why is my turquoise turning black?

Turquoise is a compound that includes metals such as aluminum, copper or iron. Water and oil can cause some of these metals to oxidize, or in other words rust. As a result of oxidation, the stones can actually change color.

What are the benefits of wearing turquoise?

How can you tell real turquoise from fake turquoise?

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. If you aren't able to scratch the stone, it's likely genuine Turquoise!

Is Persian turquoise expensive?

Throughout the centuries, the intense sky-blue Iranian turquoise, known as “Persian turquoise,” has been the most sought after. This is a clear, even blue color with no evidence of green, nor any signs of black veins. As recently as the '70s, top-quality turquoise was fetching prices of $2,000 for a 15x20mm piece.

What is Bisbee II turquoise?

A dark reddish brown matrix that blends and swirls with rich Turquoise hues gives this Bisbee II Turquoise Rough a unique identity not found in any other variety. This lot is a mix of medium to large sizes that will provide a high yield when cutting.

What is a Sleeping Beauty turquoise?

Sleeping Beauty turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. The host rock is granite. 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.

Can turquoise get 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 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.