Turquoise: Protective Sky Stone
Turquoise pendant on turquoise beaded necklace.
Pronunciation: Tur-koyz
Appearance: Turquoise is an opaque stone that ranges from blue to green with most possible hues in between. It often has a spiderweb veining matrix that can be black, brown, or sometimes with copper mixed in. If you see a stone that's labeled "<color> turquoise" it isn't turquoise, although some turquoise tends toward green and some toward blue.
Birthstone: December.
Source: Iran, Sinai, Southwest US, China, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Chile, England.
Chakra association: Throat chakra.
Astrological association: Aquarius.
Element: Water.
Appearance: Turquoise is an opaque stone that ranges from blue to green with most possible hues in between. It often has a spiderweb veining matrix that can be black, brown, or sometimes with copper mixed in. If you see a stone that's labeled "<color> turquoise" it isn't turquoise, although some turquoise tends toward green and some toward blue.
Birthstone: December.
Source: Iran, Sinai, Southwest US, China, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Chile, England.
Chakra association: Throat chakra.
Astrological association: Aquarius.
Element: Water.
Natural information: Turquoise is a very soft, porous, somewhat fragile stone. It is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. It does not readily form crystalline shapes, so any external shape may be found.
Turquoise is often faked. The Egyptians were the first to produce a synthetic of earthenware. Today, fakes can be hard to detect and some require scientific methods of detection.
Today turquoise mined in the Southwest United States is greatly valued and commands a corresponding price. Turquoise mined at the Sleeping Beauty and Kingman mines in Arizona is highly sought after and is considered to be among the most beautiful turquoise in the world.
Turquoise is often faked. The Egyptians were the first to produce a synthetic of earthenware. Today, fakes can be hard to detect and some require scientific methods of detection.
Today turquoise mined in the Southwest United States is greatly valued and commands a corresponding price. Turquoise mined at the Sleeping Beauty and Kingman mines in Arizona is highly sought after and is considered to be among the most beautiful turquoise in the world.
Turquoise Donut, probably a conglomerate stone.
Turquoise is also often treated to enhance its properties. It is sometimes waxed to give it a "wet" look and enhance its color and luster. "Stabilized" turquoise has been coated with an epoxy or plastic substance to make a chalky stone useable for jewelry stones. Most of the turquoise you find now falls into this category. Others dye turquoise to enhance its color, and it is also sometimes "reconstituted" where chips and chunks are bonded together and then worked as a solid stone.. A responsible seller of turquoise will tell you what, if any, treatments have been applied to it, but unfortunately, there are a LOT of unresponsible sellers of turquoise. Untreated turquoise will, of course, command a much higher price than anything that has been treated. Almost all of the turquoise that comes my way has been stabilized but I try to avoid dyed or conglomerate turquoise. If I'm aware of it, I provide full disclosure for you, but again, there is a lot of misinformation out there for jewelry makers, as well.
Chinese stabilized, in silver filled wire.
History & Legends: Crusaders discovered the stone in Turkey, from which it derives its name. But it had long been known in the Americas by the natives there, who held that it was a magic stone that protected against harm. It was also revered in China, Egypt and Greece, used to protect horses and riders on long journeys. It made the journey along the Silk Road for trade.
Metaphysical lore: Native Americans believed it to bring protection to a rider upon a horse. This was news to me, and I intend to wear turquoise every time I ride, and put it on my horse's bridle, too. By extension it is also thought to protect travelers using other modes of transportation today.
Some tribes call it "sky stone" and believed it to be a bridge between worlds, and enhance shamanic travel. It can provide protection to those Dreaming or Traveling.
Metaphysical lore: Native Americans believed it to bring protection to a rider upon a horse. This was news to me, and I intend to wear turquoise every time I ride, and put it on my horse's bridle, too. By extension it is also thought to protect travelers using other modes of transportation today.
Some tribes call it "sky stone" and believed it to be a bridge between worlds, and enhance shamanic travel. It can provide protection to those Dreaming or Traveling.
US Turquoise, untreated, in copper.
Healing lore: Turquoise is reputed to have great drawing powers. In ancient times it was a critical part of the healer's kit, used for drawing poisons out of the body. Similarly, it can be used in the same way, pressed against the body in the location of trouble or disease, and then visualized as drawing the illness or pain out of the body. It works on emotional troubles, too.
Care: Turquoise is so soft that it should be handled with a great deal of care. Perfumes and cosmetics can damage the finish, and even the oils of your skin can do so. They are somewhat sensitive to sun exposure. They should be stored in their own container, as scratching against other rocks can damage the finish (unless they're stabilized).
Care: Turquoise is so soft that it should be handled with a great deal of care. Perfumes and cosmetics can damage the finish, and even the oils of your skin can do so. They are somewhat sensitive to sun exposure. They should be stored in their own container, as scratching against other rocks can damage the finish (unless they're stabilized).