Loose Turquoise Stones

Loose turquoise stones in their natural form, can be quite a bit different than the stones that end up in jewelry. Most turquoise stones come out of the mine in a rather porous and chalky state. In order to keep them from breaking and chipping, they are typically treated before they are used in jewelry such as that shown in our turquoise jewelry showcase. Loose stones have been used for carvings and money in ancient times and have been placed in jewelry for centuries.

Extensively used in ancient Egypt, Persia and by Native Americans, turquoise has been a popular stone for over 6000 years. Incorporated into jewelry by the ancient Egyptians, this stone was so treasured that it has been found in jewelry piece inside Egyptian tombs. Native Americans have used it for jewelry making as well as loose stones in carved fetishes and beads and, in fact, tourist jewelry from the 1940’s and 50’s made by Native Americans and incorporating turquoise and sterling silver is highly sought after by collectors today. This beautiful stone ranges from sky blue to green to yellow and has dark veins running through it. It can be used alone or in conjunction with a variety of other gemstones to create fabulous handmade jewelry.

Wearing turquoise can help improve your mood and keep you calm as well as bring out your inner creativity. It is said to heighten empathy, improve honesty and bring wisdom. If you have trouble speaking in public, wearing turquoise jewelry or carrying loose turquoise stones can help! This stone is said to help one realize ones inner self as well as strengthen the bonds of friendship. As a healing stone, it is used to remove toxins and pollutants from the body. It is reputed to help with asthma and infections as well as aid the respiratory, digestive and skeletal systems.

Loose turquoise stones can be found in Iran, China, Turkey, Persia and Egypt. In North American it is found mostly in Arizona and New Mexico. Although some stones are suitable for use in jewelry in their natural form, over 95% of the stones used in jewelry must be treated in order for them to be useable. This process whereby they stabilize the stone with a resinous substance is common and quite acceptable for turquoise. Without treatment, the stones would chip too easily and quickly change color from contact with bodily oils on your skin. It is not uncommon for inferior stones to be ground up and mixed with an epoxy then injected into a mold in the shape of a stone – these stones are acceptable for use in jewelry but will not have the value of a real natural stone.

Turquoise is a porous rock and must be cleaned very cautiously. Some people feel that there is an added value in vintage turquoise which has had years to develop a patina and excessive cleaning can destroy that value. The preferred means to clean jewelry or loose turquoise stones is to gently wipe it with a soft cloth but there are instanceds where you may require more intense cleaning and our advice is to use warm soapy water. If the turquoise is set in a piece of jewelry you should avoid submerging it in anything liquid as it can seep into the fissures of the jewelry and cause deterioration years down the road. One gentle method for cleaning turquoise is to dunk a Q-tip in warm soapy water and swab the jewelry with that - make sure you remove any soapy residue by swabbing again with a clean Q-tip dipped in clean water. Never clean your turquoise in ultrasonic or steam cleaners or use any type of chemical.

Other Interesting Articles:

Buying A Turquoise Pendant Necklace?
Wearing unique handmade jewelry can help you make a statement and express how unique you really are. Find out more about the history, processing and healing properties of turquoise.

The New Popularity Of The Turquoise Color
This color is a must have for spring and summer clothing, jewelry and accessories. As a color for jewelry, the turquoise stone is an outstanding gem and can be combined with other stones or used alone.

Raw Turquoise Stones
Raw turquoise stones can be quite a bit different than the stones that you see in jewelry. In their natural form, these stones can be porous and chalky. Depending on the quality of the stone, they may need to be treated in order to be used in jewelry.

Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Native American turquoise jewelry of all ages is highly collectible and very wearable. Although the vintage and antique pieces are highly valued and sought after, the newly made Native American turquoise pieces are just as prized and many are just as valuable.

The Turquoise Gem Stone
Find out the history, processing and healing powers of this sought after stone. Feat your eyes on turquoise jewelry!

Native American Indian Turquoise and Silver Jewelry
Read about some of the most highly sought after cultural jewelry made today.

The Birthstone Turquoise
Turquoise is the birthstone for the month of December and a popular stone used in jewelry making. Birthstone jewelry has been worn for centuries and while December has also been associate with the birtstones lapis lazuli, blue topaz and zircon, The American National Association of Jewelers formulated a standard list of birthstones in 1912 and named Turquoise as the birthstone for December.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Beads
Named for the mine it comes from, these beads and stones are well sought after for jewelry making and a favorite of the Zuni Pueblo silver makers who incorporate it into their traditional inlay jewelry.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Mine
The Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Mine located in Arizona is one of the largest turquoise mines in North American and produces a stunning sky blue turquoise that has no matrix and is referred to as “Sleeping Beauty Turquoise”.