Turquoise is the kind of gemstone that connects you through
time and space to humanity’s ancestors. Whether it is the stone’s use for
Tutankhamen’s burial mask or the mask of Xiuhtecuhtli – who is called the Turquoise
Lord – the gems with the blue and green hues have become the stuff of legends.
Not surprisingly, plenty of modern jewelry buyers love this
stone and look for pieces to wear themselves. What types of stones will you
usually be able to choose from? Which ones are inferior and what kinds should
you buy – if you can afford them?
New Landers turquoise. Although not necessarily a turquoise in the strictest term of
the definition, this yellow stone, which may also feature a white color with
brown webbing, looks just like the stone in question. New Landers turquoise is
famous for its matrixed look.
Number 8 turquoise.
Coming from Nevada’s Eureka County, the original Number 8 version was a
startling dark blue with breathtaking spider webbing. Once exhausted, the
current stones are a lighter blue and feature a brown matrix. There have also
been some light green finds, but they required a stabilization treatment, which
made them undesirable for the serious collector.
Orville Jack
turquoise. Because of the zinc in the rocks, the Orville Jack type of
turquoise is of a startling yellow green coloration. The matrix can be brown
but blotching is not uncommon.
Persian turquoise.
Now known as Iran, the stones found there are nevertheless known as Persian turquoise. These are the quintessential sky blue stones with an intensity that
puts other rocks to shame. If you think you are holding a robin’s egg and have
to do a double take, you are probably looking at a Persian stone.
Pilot Mountain
turquoise. Mined near Tonopah, there is a wide variety of stones and colors
coming from Pilot Mountain. The pieces are exquisite because of their deep blue
coloration that is interrupted by gold matrix and brown blotching. Light green
pieces are also available.
Royston turquoise.
Coming from the same general area, the Royston pieces may be blue or green and
feature fine tan patching.
Sleeping Beauty
turquoise. Found in Arizona, Sleeping Beauty turquoise is used
by Zuni Pueblo artisans for their wares. It is of sky blue
coloration and features black blotches. It is this look that most novices
associate with the gemstone known as the turquoise.
Stormy Mountain
turquoise. Another Nevada stone, it does not feature the famous webbing.
Instead, the stones are of a lusterless blue coloration that seems to have a
good bit of gray in it. They are not a favorite of jewelry makers.
Turquoise mountain
turquoise. Also found near Tonopah, these stones offer a wide range of
coloration. Some are white while others fall into the traditional blue and green
camps. Stones found here are expensive on the open market.
Tyrone turquoise.
Mined in New Mexico, Tyrone turquoise is sky blue and features golden as well
as tan matrix designs. There is a distinct similarity between some of these
stones and the Persian variety. If you find a dark blue stone that features a
mottled black matrix, you have hit the jackpot.
We hope you enjoyed our excursion into the world of the
turquoise. Who knew that there were so many varieties? Missed Part One or Part Two? Follow their links to learn all you ever wanted to know about the
different types of turquoise.
At Peter Suchy Jewelers we carry many pieces of vintage turquoise jewelry so we invite you to stop by our showroom located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut.
If you love shopping for antique turquoise online, hop on over to our eBay store where you'll learn we are a top-rated PowerSeller with 100 percent positive feedback.
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