Silver Turquoise Jewelry – The Attractive Blue Gemstone
Turquoise is a gorgeous stone that looks so good in silver turquoise jewelry. Technically it is a combination of aluminum and phosphates with a small amount of copper oxide, from which it gets its blue color, and manganese oxide, calcium, zinc and iron. The gem’s green color arises from the iron or aluminum and yellow from zinc. The most common color is green for turquoise gems, and in fact blue gemstones frequently turn green if exposed to sunlight for a long time. Different blends of these elements give the gemstone its range of colors, with the most valued being those with a deep blue color and yellow colored stones having the least value. The best quality stones, for instance Persian turquoise, don’t usually fade and maintain their gorgeous blue color for a long time.
Some gemstones have a main color with a spider web matrix on the surface of the gem consisting of lines of a different color. The cause of this is irregular dispersal of the various elements present in the stone and the marks can be black, yellow or brown in many different patterns. However unmarked gemstones are more highly prized than stones with a spider web matrix though turquoise gems of intense blue color, even with spider web matrix, are more sought after than green or yellow unmarked stones. Untreated gems of a pure color, that is those which are not marked with spider web matrix, are rarer and are very highly valued.
Treating Turquoise
Less than 10% of the turquoise used in jewelry is the naturally occurring, finest quality stone. Above 90% is treated from soft, rough turquoise so that it is hard enough for use. The process also improves durability and enhances the color of the stones. Turquoise mined in a number of countries, for example China, is too soft and must be treated. In spite of this the process yields attractive stones, which, while less valuable than unprocessed gemstones, still make wonderful jewelry. The process enhances the the stones color as well as making them harder so that they last for much longer. A treatment method used to enhance the color involves injecting epoxy resin that contains a dye into the stone. The color is more stable and will remain unchanged. Chinese turquoise is toughened by injecting the gems with liquid plastic. An alternative approach is to use epoxy resin without a dye to harden the gemstone without changing the color.
Simulated turquoise can be made from a base of liquid plastic with powdered turquoise. This kind of turquoise is obviously very cheap. These imitation stones may be sold as high quality natural turquoise turquoise and may be waxed or plastic coated.
Looking After Turquoise Gems
Turquoise is both porous and soft so needs to be carefully looked after. It should never be worn at times when scratching can be occur and must be shielded from blows always. On no account wear turquoise jewelry when you are gardening or washing up! Keep turquoise jewelry in its own box lined with soft material such as velvet and do not store with other, harder gemstones which may well scratch the gems. Turquoise gemstones can absorb liquids so keep them away from household chemicals, oils or hot water and even cosmetics and perfumes. These could be absorbed by the gemstone which will change color or become dull. You can clean turquoise with very mild soapy water and then drying gently with a soft cloth. Ensure it is thoroughly dried before you store it away and on no account use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners as they can result in cracking of the stone.
In Conclusion
Turquoise is a lovely, eye-catching gem which is rare and sought after. Although there are a few disadvantages in that it needs to be taken great care of and some of the blue stones can turn green over time, it makes wonderful silver turquoise jewelry as the lovely blue color is perfectly complemented by the silver.
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[...] Random Feed wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptTurquoise is a gorgeous stone that looks so good in silver turquoise jewelry . Technically it is a combination of aluminum and phosphates with a small amount of copper oxide, from which it gets its blue color, and manganese oxide, calcium, zinc and iron. The gem’s green color arises from the iron or aluminum and yellow from zinc. The most common color is green for turquoise gems, and in fact blue gemstones frequently turn green if exposed to sunlight for a long time. Different blends of these e [...]