Turquoise is a blue-green mineral rock that has been prized for its color since ancient times. The name comes from the French for “Turkish stone”, as turquoise was first brought to Europe from Turkey. Turquoise has long held cultural significance around the world due to its striking color and scarcity. It has been used for jewelry, ornaments, and ritual objects by many ancient civilizations. Even today, turquoise remains culturally important and is mined globally for use in jewelry and decorative arts. But why exactly is this blue-green gemstone so significant?
Chemical Composition
Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate mineral with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. It contains copper, aluminum, phosphorus, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms arranged in an intricate crystalline structure. The copper ions provide the characteristic blue color, while aluminum and phosphorus lend stability to the structure. The water contained in turquoise can comprise 3-10% of its total mass, and is released upon heating, causing dehydration and alteration of the mineral. The unique chemical composition of turquoise allows it to form in a rare range of geological conditions, contributing to its scarcity and high value.
Geological Formation
Natural turquoise forms in igneous or sedimentary rocks when water carrying dissolved copper percolates through fractures and pores in the rock. The copper is deposited along with aluminum and phosphorus from other minerals to crystallize turquoise veins and nodules. Turquoise typically occurs in arid climates either near copper deposits or where a soluble source of phosphorus is available. Well-known turquoise mining areas include the American southwest, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Iran, and China. Veins are often found along faults and fractures, while nodules can form in voids in the host rock. The details of turquoise formation give it an air of mystery and contribute to its appeal.
Color Range
One aspect that makes turquoise unique is its striking range of blue and green shades. This variability arises from differences in copper content and the presence of other elements. Higher copper content produces a stronger blue color, while iron, zinc, and aluminum additions shift the tone towards green. Chrome turquoise is a bright green variety. Turquoise can also exhibit multiple colors in a single stone due to variations in composition. The most prized turquoise has an intense, evenly distributed “robin’s egg” blue color without veining called “Persian turquoise.” Stones are assessed not just for their hue, but also their tone and saturation. This diversity allows turquoise to complement many settings and skin tones.
| Turquoise Variety | Color | Cause of Color |
|---|---|---|
| Persian | Vivid blue | Higher copper content |
| Sky blue | Pale blue | Lower copper content |
| Green | Blue-green | Iron, zinc, aluminum |
| Chrome | Bright green | Chrome additions |
Rarity
Turquoise is considered a rare mineral since extensive turquoise deposits are uncommon worldwide. Vast quantities are not produced like with common industrial minerals. Good quality turquoise is even rarer, as most stones are too brittle, porous, or pale to be used for jewelry. Only about 5% of turquoise mined worldwide is suitable for cutting gemstones. This rarity adds to turquoise’s prestige and makes natural untreated stones more valuable. While some turquoise is produced synthetically, the real thing is still highly coveted. Anything rare has appeal to humans, who tend to value scarcity. The rarity of high quality turquoise continues to give it cachet.
Historical Usage
The brilliant blue color of turquoise has captivated people for millennia. Archaeological evidence shows it was used for beads and other ornaments dating back to the Ancient Egyptians some 5,500 years ago. In Persia, turquoise was believed to have protective powers and was a symbol of heaven. Native Americans used turquoise for spiritual rituals and decorating sacred objects. The Aztecs inlaid turquoise into masks, knives, and shields. Chinese artisans carved it into dragon and bird figurines. Even today, turquoise is still associated with prosperity, healing, and wisdom in many cultures. This extremely long history of turquoise use adds to its significance and mystique.
Spiritual Symbolism
In many cultures spanning millennia, turquoise has been imbued with symbolic meaning beyond its inherent beauty. For example:
– Ancient Persians saw its blue as representing heaven, sky, and water
– Native Americans associated it with rain, fertility, and the life cycle
– Tibetan monks thought it enhanced meditation and spiritual peace
– Medieval Europeans believed it protected against poison, injury, and evil
– Hindus see turquoise as symbolizing Varuna, the god of the sky and water
This rich history of spiritual connections and healings properties adds to turquoise’s allure. Even if the mystical attributes are unproven, the deep cultural meanings give turquoise a profound significance that purely aesthetic gemstones lack.
Southwest Native American Jewelry
Turquoise was mined and worked extensively by the prehistoric Ancestral Pueblo people of the American Southwest starting around 900 AD. Their descendants later produced stunning silver jewelry with hand-cut turquoise cabochons and intricate metalwork. Items like squash blossom necklaces became iconic of Native American artistry. Natural untreated turquoise remains integral to Southwestern jewelry and brings an authenticity that enhances its appeal. The turquoise stones exhibit a wide range of green and blue hues from different mines. Turquoise jewelry represents a vibrant living tradition and connection to history that gives it special value.
Tibetan Turquoise
Tibet has long been an important source of turquoise, mined from the mountains for over a thousand years. Green rather than blue, Tibetan turquoise often features contrasting black or brown matrix veining. It was traditionally used for beads, cabochons, cups, and altars. Turquoise was also ground into a powder to make pigments for painting Buddhist thangka paintings and monastery walls. Turquoise remains integral to Tibetan culture and identity, seen in jewelry, artifacts, architecture, and art. Its deep roots add meaning that inspires today’s Tibetan artists and jewelry makers to continue working with this historic stone.
Modern Turquoise Jewelry
While turquoise has an illustrious history, it remains relevant in jewelry today. It brings a bohemian, exotic flair to modern designs. Both natural and stabilized enhanced turquoise cabochons are popular for rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. The blue pops against yellow gold and rose gold settings. Chunky turquoise beads make for hip statement necklaces. The Tiffany brand became so associated with turquoise that they named their iconic robin’s egg blue “Tiffany Blue.” Turquoise’s longevity comes from its timeless beauty and rich cultural cachet that continues to capture the public’s imagination.
Healing Properties
In crystal healing traditions ranging from ancient Ayurveda to modern New Age practices, turquoise is ascribed therapeutic properties. It is believed to calm the mind, aid meditation and communication, enhance wisdom and trust, soothe the throat, stimulate the immune system, and more. While unproven scientifically, these metaphysical attributes still influence people’s attraction to the stone. Placebo effects can benefit believers even if the effects are not inherent to the crystal itself. Turquoise’s long history of ritual use lends credibility. The perceived healing properties add to its mystique and value.
The Color Blue
One reason turquoise resonates so strongly is that it exemplifies the transcendent color blue. Blue has wide appeal and many positive associations. It evokes serenity, spirituality, wisdom, trust, stability, and confidence. The soothing qualities of blue make it a top choice for interior design. Blue’s rarity in nature makes turquoise even more special. There is also evidence that humans are neurologically predisposed to prefer blue due to evolutionary factors. So turquoise gains significance from epitomizing this most beloved, meaningful color. Its blue is unique yet familiar, exotic yet comforting, just like turquoise itself.
Conclusion
Turquoise has been cherished globally across cultures for thousands of years, making it truly extraordinary among gems. Its alluring color, scarcity, cultural history, and spiritual symbolism all contribute to its mystique and significance. Turquoise has played a wide range of roles adorning objects, people, architecture, and artwork since ancient times. Even today it remains culturally relevant and appealing in jewelry and decor. Both visually striking and full of meaning, turquoise will likely continue fascinating humankind well into the future. When we appreciate turquoise, we connect with history, nature, culture, spirituality, and our innate human attraction to this remarkable mineral.