Different Types of Turquoise – Part One

Available in green, blue and blue-green, turquoise on occasion, also comes with blue and white streaks. The opaque gemstone has captured the imagination of artisans since the times of the Aztecs and ancient Egyptians. Due to a large number of chemical variations, there are plenty of different types of turquoise. Some are so subtle that only a trained gemologist can spot the difference. Others are so obvious that even a novice can pinpoint the variation.

Here at Peter Suchy Jewelers we thought we’d do something unique and bring you a three-part article series all about the different types of turquoise!

Ajax turquoise. Mined in the Royston area of Nevada, this type of turquoise is frequently of a light blue color. Veins may be blue. In some cases, there are also blue blotches that take the place of the veins. Occasionally, greenish patina seems to overshadow the pieces. Look also for pieces that favor the green color end of the spectrum and showcase small patches of gold or brown.

Bisbee turquoise. Coming from the Lavender Pit copper mine owned by the Phelps Dodge Corporation, Bisbee turquoise is a secondary product after copper. These gemstones feature a startling sky blue hue with uneven purple or brown blotching. Brown webbing turns some blue pieces into marvels of unique artwork. Owners of this type of turquoise frequently realize excellent resale prices for their pieces.

Enhanced Bisbee turquoise. Stemming from the same locale, these stones lack the beauty of the sky blue coloration. There are some hints at the gorgeous turquoise and it requires soaking in a special solution to enhance the colors of these stones.

Stabilized Bisbee turquoise. Stabilized Bisbee stones lack the depth of the naturally occurring sky blue turquoise. Treatments bring out the color but it lacks luster. Even so, the flat coloration of these stones still offers beauty in its own right.

Black widow turquoise. Another Nevada product, black widow turquoise comes from a tiny mine. The main color component is a mint green with a slightly blue hue. Black webbing has served to give these stones their unusual name. Production from this mine is minor.

Blue diamond turquoise. Featuring a higher than normal amount of black chert matrix, the blue diamond type of turquoise comes from central Nevada. The blue color is deep. While some claim this to be the most superior type of turquoise currently on the market, it does not command this type of price. In part, the black chert makes it unattractive to many jewelry buyers who want more blue and less black in their jewelry.

Blue gem turquoise. Coming from Lander County in Nevada, blue gem turquoise was first mined in 1934. Look for stunning blues and greens. Some stones are almost entirely free of webbing while others feature brown matrix or some spider webbing.

Blue moon turquoise. Found near Nevada’s Tonopah, blue moon turquoise features the rare white to light blue color set. Occasional black chunks and some tan patching heighten the visual aesthetics of these pieces. If you can find this type of turquoise, it is priced to sell. Should production ever increase, it is bound to create a following in the jewelry market, which might just make it unaffordable.

Peter Suchy Jewelers carries many pieces of vintage and estate turquoise jewelry so we invite you to visit our showroom located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut.

If you enjoy shopping for antique turquoise online, head on over to our eBay store where you’ll find we are a top-rated PowerSeller with over 5,000 transactions to date and 100 percent positive feedback.

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Stay tuned for more information on turquoise!