Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that has been prized as a gemstone for thousands of years. While traditionally thought of as blue, turquoise actually occurs in a wide range of hues from blue to bluish-green, green and yellowish-green. The rarest and most valuable variety is a pure white turquoise with no trace of blue, known as white turquoise.
What gives turquoise its color?
The distinct color of turquoise comes from its chemical composition. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate containing copper and aluminum. The blue and green hues come from copper, while aluminum and phosphate lend a pale tone. Iron can tint turquoise yellow or brown. The more iron present, the greener the turquoise. A pure, intense blue turquoise has very little iron.
White turquoise owes its color primarily to the absence of copper. It also has very low levels of iron and other color-imparting elements. The lack of copper allows the pale aluminum phosphate matrix to dominate, resulting in a white or very light grayish color.
How rare is white turquoise?
White turquoise is extremely rare. Less than 1% of turquoise mined worldwide could be classified as white. There are a few reasons for its scarcity:
- There are very few mines producing white turquoise. Only a couple of mines in China and the American southwest yield white turquoise specimens.
- Within those mines, white turquoise appears in isolated pockets rather than large continuous seams.
- Even in white turquoise-producing mines, blue-green turquoise is far more abundant.
- The mineral makeup has to be just right, with almost no copper or iron present.
For these reasons, white turquoise is mined in very small quantities. Given its rarity, white turquoise commands prices 5-10 times higher than typical blue or green turquoise.
White turquoise mines
There are three main sources of white turquoise in the world:
| Mine | Location |
|---|---|
| Hubei province, China | Liaoning province, China |
| Bisbee, Arizona | United States |
Chinese white turquoise comes from the Hubei and Liaoning provinces. These mines unearth nodules and seams of chalky white turquoise. Due to its bright white color, Chinese white turquoise is also called “bird’s eye” turquoise.
In Bisbee, Arizona, white turquoise appears as veins running through the blue-green Bisbee turquoise the mine is famous for. Miners extract irregular nuggets that exhibit a striking spiderweb matrix of blue and white turquoise. Due to limited supply, this Southwest white turquoise is coveted by collectors.
Identifying characteristics
When evaluating a white turquoise specimen, gemologists look for these distinguishing characteristics:
- Color – Snowy white to very light gray or pale blue. Should not have any yellowish or greenish cast.
- Texture – Smooth and uniform. Free of marks, specks or discoloration.
- Matrix – Little to no matrix visible. The stone should not have dark spiderweb veining.
- Clarity – Translucent to opaque. Free of flaws and foreign particles.
- Luster – Waxy to dull. White turquoise rarely exhibits vitreous or brilliant luster.
White turquoise is always untreated and unenhanced. Any tag claiming “treated white turquoise” indicates a fake stone.
Imitations and treatments
The high value and rarity of white turquoise make it a target for enhancements and imitations. These include:
- Reconstituted turquoise – Crushed turquoise bits bound with resin and died white. May have an unnatural look.
- Dyed blue turquoise – Natural blue turquoise bleached white. Telltale signs are white surface over blue interior.
- Howlite – This cheap white mineral is often dyed blue to imitate turquoise. Can be revealed by testing hardness and specific gravity.
- Magnesite – Another white mineral that is dyed to produce fake white turquoise. Has different physical properties than real turquoise.
- Plastic – White plastic is sometimes passed off as white turquoise, especially in beads. Feels obviously light and unnatural.
Genuine white turquoise is never altered or treated in any way. Any abnormalities indicate a fake. When buying white turquoise, it’s safest to purchase from a reputable, high-end dealer who provides independent lab certification of authenticity.
Jewelry applications
In jewelry, white turquoise provides a fresh, elegant look popular for:
- Pendants, earrings and rings featuring white turquoise center stones.
- Diamond and white turquoise bracelets, pairing the white and sparkling stones.
- Bridal jewelry like engagement rings, often accented with diamonds.
- Southwestern jewelry with alternating sections of blue-green and white turquoise stones.
- Men’s jewelry like cufflinks and money clips featuring white turquoise.
White turquoise also makes a striking bead for necklaces, chokers and bracelets. Its neutral white hue provides versatility to pair with other colored gems and metals.
Value and price
As one of the rarest types of turquoise, white turquoise demands a premium price. Its value is influenced by:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Color | Whiter is more valuable. Blue or green tints lower value. |
| Clarity | Translucent, flawless stones are most prized. |
| Source | Bisbee white turquoise has highest value. Chinese turquoise less costly. |
| Carat | Larger stones are exponentially more valuable. |
| Treatment | Untreated only. No enhancements or dyes. |
In general, natural white turquoise will cost 5-10 times as much as similarly-sized blue turquoise. Fine quality loose white turquoise cabochons over 5 carats can sell for over $1,000 per carat. Jewelry with large central white turquoise gemstones commands even higher prices.
Conclusion
White turquoise is undoubtedly one of the rarest and most valuable natural turquoise types. Its unique snowy white color, limited global supply, and high demand for jewelry make it extremely precious. Wise buyers should take care to avoid treated imitations, and always insist on certification of authenticity.
While blue-green turquoise is relatively abundant, those seeking a true white turquoise will find themselves on an elusive quest. The singular white to pale grayish tone can only come from nature, never enhancement. This rarity is what drives the exceptionally high value of pure white turquoise.
