The Turquoise gemstones, with its beautiful blue-green color, is one of the most sought-after stones worldwide. It is popularly used as a ring, earrings, necklace, pendant, bracelet, and more to add charm and elegance to any jewelry collection, either as a statement piece or as a quintessential way to keep your style sense intact. This article revisits the world of turquoise to learn more about what it is, its uses, costs, and benefits.
What is Turquoise Stone?
But turquoise is always hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum—it must be, by definition. The vibrant blue-green stone forms in arid climates through water percolating through rock with copper and aluminum. The color of the stone is typically sky blue or greenish-blue, sometimes veined and spotted with brown, black, or white specks (a mineralogist’s term for these is the matrix).
What is Turquoise Stone Used For?
Turquoise has been used for various purposes throughout history.
Jewelry: rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. Turquoise, with its wonderful color, is commonly used in both modern and traditional designs.
Materials: Turquoise is used to decorate other objects, such as inlays with furniture, mosaics, and carvings.
Spiritual and Healing Practices: Turquoise is believed by many cultures to have protective and healing properties and to be used in the making of talismans and amulets.
What is Turquoise Stone Worth?
The value of turquoise is highly dependent on its color, quality, and origin. The most valuable turquoise is often a very intense blue with little to no matrix. High-quality natural, untreated turquoise can be quite expensive.
Natural or Original Turquoise Stone Price
Natural turquoise varies greatly in value, ranging from a few dollars per carat to several hundred dollars per carat, and very high-grade specimens from famous mines, such as the Sleeping Beauty mine in Globe, Arizona, can be very expensive. The very best natural turquoise gemstones are extremely rare and expensive, sometimes reaching $1000 per carat.
Is A Turquoise Gemstones Expensive?
The cost of turquoise can range from quite inexpensive to very costly. Even within the most respected markets, there is turquoise to match virtually any budget, but stone of the best quality can certainly be quite costly. Color, matrix, origin, and whether the stone has been treated or stabilized all affect the price. Generally speaking, the most valuable turquoise is natural (untreated) and as intense in blue as possible, with the least amount of matrix.
Most Expensive Turquoise Jewelry
With the most expensive turquoise jewelry sporting intricate designs created with precise workmanship and precious metals like gold or platinum, these can be out of reach for many shoppers. Second- or lower-quality stones will be less expensive, while a few centuries of upper-class use may make antiques even more coveted and expensive.
Turquoise Jewelry for Sale: What to Look For
When purchasing turquoise jewelry, it is vital for you to check the quality of the stone. Here are some buying tips:
Color: look for a blue that is strong and precise; a deepish blue is best. A tinge of green often benefits stones of a lighter hue. You want the color to be as even as possible, with a little white visible.
Matrix: You might like turquoise with a small amount of matrix, but others like the patterns that matrix can make.
Original: Treated: Treated stones (chalk, plastic, resin) take the place of natural turquoise with negative consequences: turquoise is a porous stone that is infiltrated by oil coming from the skin, causing stains on both the turquoise and its mounting. A treated stone may not have adsorbed any of these elements and, therefore, is less valuable than an original stone. Ask the jeweler if his turquoise is treated or stabilized.
Provenance: Famous mines in Arizona, Iran, and elsewhere have yielded turquoise pieces that can command higher prices than contemporary material.
Is Turquoise Jewelry Worth Anything?
Of course, some turquoise jewelry can be quite expensive, especially if there are high-quality stones and craftsmanship involved. High-quality, natural turquoise jewelry is collectable and a valuable purchase that can (and should) grow in value over time.
How Costly is Turquoise?
The price of turquoise varies based on quality. While low-grade stones are reasonably affordable, the very best materials can get expensive. On average, good-quality gems will cost $5–$50 per carat, but the top grade can go well beyond that.
What is the Benefit of Wearing Turquoise Stone?
Turquoise is believed to offer various benefits.
Protection: Many cultures consider turquoise a protective stone that wards off negative energy.
Healing: Turquoise is thought to have healing properties, promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Calming: stone calms you, reducing pressure, lowering stress, and increasing your ability to communicate more easily.
Is Turquoise Stone Expensive?
Depending on the quality, natural, untreated, high-grade turquoise can be very expensive, but it is also available at more moderate prices. Stabilized or treated turquoise is less costly.
Conclusion
If you are looking for something besides the common blue topaz, your first choice should be a turquoise gemstone, which is a genuine masterpiece of Mother Nature. The reason behind this is obvious: the bright color (in shades of blue and green), the high value attached to it by people through the centuries, and the numerous benefits this gemstone promises.
You can choose turquoise rings, turquoise earrings, turquoise necklaces, turquoise pendants, or turquoise bracelets; it is always better to have an idea of what makes it so special, particularly if you are considering investing in high-quality turquoise. Although the price can be quite hefty, exclusivity and possibly increasing returns will compensate you if you take the trouble to research the purchase.
So, next time you shop for jewelry, don’t forget to buy a piece of turquoise and enjoy its unusual benefits and beauty.
Top 5 FAQs about Turquoise Gemstones
1. What is the Turquoise Gemstone Used For?
It is commonly used as an ascetic and healing material. Turquoise is most commonly used in jewelry, especially rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. It is also used as an ornament or in spiritual or healing practices.
2. What is a Turquoise Gemstone Worth?
There’s quite a spread in value, from a few dollars per carat to several hundred dollars per carat, depending on quality, color, and provenance.
3. Is the Turquoise Gemstone Expensive?
Prices vary substantially; at the cheaper end, one can buy turquoise that isn’t really bad but uninspiring. On the other hand, top-end, natural, fine-quality stones can be extremely expensive, particularly if they have nice color and only a little float and matrix.
4. What is the Benefit of Wearing a Turquoise Stone?
Turquoise ‘provides lucky solutions’ and protects, heals, and harmonizes; it facilitates physical and mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and enhances communication.
5. Is Turquoise Stone Jewelry Worth Anything?
Sure, if it’s good jewelry, and especially if it has good (natural, not dyed) stones and good workmanship, then it might be collectable.