©manon

I have a stash of beautiful turquoise that I work with. I thought I’d give some facts about turquoise today. Turquoise is very old among gems. The oldest known use of turquoise dates back to 3000 B.C.; turquoise embellishments have been found on Egyptian graves from this time period. Gemstone jewelry incorporating turquoise was also popular in ancient Egypt, and ancient Aztecs, Persians and North American Indians used turquoise in jewelry and ceremonial attire.

It is a blue to green-gray mineral that consists of copper aluminum phosphate. The mineral is a hyrous phosphate of aluminum, which includes a small percent of copper. The copper is what gives the turquoise its blue coloring. When the turquoise mineral has iron you get the greenish turquoise. If it contains zinc, it will be a yellowish color.

Turquoise is the stone of sky, stone of water, stone of blessings, good fortune, protection, good health and long life.

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Turquoise is found in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia Utah, California and Nevada. Turquoise is considered one of the highest value minerals in the world by many collectors and turquoise made in southwest is now known as one of the most valuable in the world. The above pic is a map I have in my studio for quick reference of exactly where my turquoise is from.

Many turquoise are fakes made of powered turquoise and epoxy around a base of rock. There are some shady local dealers that will make composite masses of these materials and pass it off as legit. Also, another way turquoise is made out of magnesite and howlite. If one doesn’t have much knowledge about turquoise they can be easily fooled. That kind of *turquoise* is cheap and the only thing turquoise about it is the color and even that’s wrong.

©manon

Rob surprised me a couple of weeks ago with an array of collectible turquoise. This piece is stunning. It’s from the Number 8 mine. The Number 8 turquoise mine in Carlin, Nevada was first mined in 1929. In its prime, Number 8 produced some of the largest nuggets of turquoise ever found. The color of Number 8 varies from light blue, blue with shades of green to beautiful dark blue. It is found with a black, golden, red or brown matrix. With the black and red spider webbing being the most valued. Today Number 8 turquoise is one of the most valuable stones that can be collected. High-grade Number 8 turquoise is by far some of the finest turquoise to ever have come out of Nevada. It hasn’t been mined since 1976 by Dowel Ward.

©manon

Here is another pic of some of my new turquoise from my love. The large piece is a Royston turquoise and one of the pieces is B25 mine and the rest are Carico Lake.

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I recently took this large turquoise that is from the Kingman mines and made a ring. I stamped the words *trust the universe* on the back but I almost put *go big or go home* on it…lol. This ring can be found in my shop.

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I made these earrings with Kingman turquoise beads. In most retail bead stores if you’re buying beads that are really cheap and they say turquoise chances are that you’re getting magnesite or howlite. Turquoise will be much more for a strand. Always ask if it is genuine if you are unsure.

There is so much to learn about turquoise and I am by no means any kind of expert but with a basic knowledge you can start to enjoy the beautiful qualities of this stone.

fill your heart with turquoise.

My name is Manon. (pronounced Man + O) Yes….my mom cursed me with my name. In her defense I guess she never though I’d leave Quebec. I’m a jewelry artist and painter. I’ve been creative as long as I can remember and things haven’t changed. I now live in Scottsdale, AZ. I spend most days in my studio making pieces that speak to my heart. Thanks for stopping by!!