It makes a beautiful heart shape cabochon and can be found in some of the hearts in my claddagh rings. There is evidence to suggest the Turquoise was mined in the Sinai Peninsula before 3100 BC. Egyptian turquoise beads date back as far as 4000 BC.
Turquoise's beautiful color is its most desired property. Turquoise is soft and subject to scratching and breakage, so it must be worn with care. It is one of my personal favorites because of its beautiful color and smooth cabochon cut.
The sky blue color is the result of the presence of copper. A turquoise which has iron present results in greener colors.
Brown-black veins may be present the result of oxide staining or inclusions from adjacent rocks during the stones formation .
The modern name Turquoise wasnt used until the thirteenth century. Turquoise is a revered stone in Tibet and is as popular there as jade is in China. It can be found in Siberian jewelry dating from the 5th and 6th centuries BC.
The Incas carved it in beads and figurines. The Aztecs used it in jewelry and even ritual masks.
In the middle ages in Europe this gem was popular in the decoration of vessels and manuscript covers. It was Europe's most popular optically opaque gemstone.
The intensity and evenness of color matched with the quality of polish affect Turquoise's value.
