Description
Turquoise is an amazing and highly valued bluish green mineral. The finest examples of which traditionally came from Persia (Iran). Turquoise comes in shades from “sky blue” to “apple green”, the most valued tint of turquoise is light blue, inclining to light green. Turquoise has been mined in Persia for three thousand years. It is usually cut “en cabochon” or with low convex surfaces, and in the East is frequently engraved with Persian and Arabic inscriptions , generally passages from the Koran. Such objects were worn as amulets. Turquoise has always been associated with curious superstitions , the most common being the notion that it changes colour with variations in sympathy with the wearers mood. Turquoise started to become popular in Europe from 1700 onwards and was much used in the Victorian period. Throughout the Victorian and Edwardian periods turquoise was primarily used in sentimental jewellery and is closely associated with animals and flowers, especially forget-me nots. Today turquoise is mined in many places all around the world.
Turquoise is believed to have and mystic and psychic properties. The stone is often said to be an efficient healer, providing solace for the spirit and well being for the body. Turquoise is a December birthstone.
Care of your turquoise.
Turquoise is a fairly soft stone 5 -6 on the Mohs scale. So don’t put your turquoise jewellery loose in a box with rough, hard objects such as metals or sapphires and diamonds. You can clean it with a soft tooth brush and warm soapy water.
