100% ALL AMERICAN NEVADA

All you need to know

Turquoise is hands down, one of the most popular gemstones out on the market today.

Though, with its beauty and popularity, it’s imperative to know that there are many materials out there claiming to be “Turquoise”, when in fact the gem is synthetic, which means, made in a laboratory, or simply put Fake!

*My Rule of Thumb - if it looks fake, it prob. is.* If your unsure and there is any question in your mind, bring it to a reputable Jeweler for them to check it out. 

Turquoise is an opaque gray-to-blue-to-green mineral that is hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It’s chemical formula is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·5H2O). Its color range includes deep blues, light blues, bluish greens, greenish blues and even yellow greens. The copper is what gives the mineral its blue coloring. The presence of Iron and chromium in the mineral, leads to a green coloring. If the mineral contains zinc, the turquoise mineral will be a yellowish color.  The lustre of turquoise is typically waxy to sub-vitreous, and transparency is usually opaque, but may be semi-translucent in thin sections.

How is Turquoise is Formed:

The mineral turquoise is formed by a chemical reaction which occurs when water containing specific minerals such as copper and aluminum leak through a rock. It forms in veins, which later then turns into a clump of turquoise. How I like to describe it strait from the mine, is when you see the veins form on top of other sheets of rock and the turquoise is traded in-between the veins like the sheets of rock, sometimes very hard to cut and take out of the rock to make into Jewlery.

 Mohs Hardness:

Gems are usually rated on their hardness according to the Mohs scale. Mineralogist Friedrich Mohs developed the scale in 1812. The Mohs scale ranks minerals from one to ten, with one being the softest and ten the hardest. The finest and higher grades of turquoise reach a maximum Mohs hardness of just under 6.

Turquoise is classified as a cryptocrystalline mineral which means that the crystals that form in it, are so small that they are difficult to discern without the aid of a microscope. Turquoise almost never forms single crystals, and all of its properties are highly variable.

Value:

Some Turquoise Specimens and cut gemstones fetch some of the highest value in the mineral world by most collectors. American turquoise is valued by its matrix pattern, color, hardness, and by origin.

Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined, and while many historic sites have been depleted, some are still worked to this day, most being the sole property of the famous Otteson's we know and love so much from Tonopah, Nevada 

 Metaphysical Properties and Mystic Lore

Turquoise is known in many different cultures for having the most powerful healing properties in the Metaphysical realm. According to crystal healers and New Age believers, crystal and gem healing is an art and practice, done on a metaphysical level, that is being rediscovered because of the power of the earth's energies that have been absorbed by these sacred objects that, in turn, inherit vital healing powers used to heal many types of ailments. They believe that crystals have physical, spiritual, spirit, crystal energy, tranquility, spiritual awareness, zodiac, powers that can be used for Eastern Medicine treatment of everything from pain, stress, depression, therapy and feeling in the Mind, Spirit and Body.

Turquoise symbolized the union and balance of Earth and Sky to the ancient peoples of the Southern USA. It is perfect to use when you are feeling out of balance as it realigns and revitalizes your cellular structure. It facilitates meditation, bringing you peace of mind and allows you to perceive information psychically. Use it to increase your creativity and speak your truth without fear! Turquoise centers and harmonizes while it aligns your Chakras. In meditation it assists you in opening up to loving communication and telepathy. It can help you get more in tune with others. If you are seemingly menaced by misfortune, the stone attracts the imbalance into itself and absorbs the harmful vibrations, sometimes being shattering under the strain. It truly reflects the individual carrying or holding it! Turquoise tunes into your energies and transmits them back into the world.