The facts
What turquoise actually is
The species behind turquoise is turquoise, CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O; it forms in the triclinic system.
Copper for blue, iron for green is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.610–1.650 and a specific gravity of about 2.31–2.84, with none cleavage.
Where turquoise comes from
Commercial material comes from Nishapur, Iran, Arizona and Nevada, USA, Hubei, China and Sinai, Egypt.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How turquoise is treated
The majority is stabilised with polymer. Dyeing, waxing and reconstitution are all widespread, and untreated natural material is a small fraction of the market.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What turquoise is confused with
Watch for Dyed howlite, Magnesite, Reconstituted turquoise, Chrysocolla and Plastic — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.610–1.650 and specific gravity 2.31–2.84 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What turquoise is used for
The trades that buy turquoise are jewellery, prayer beads, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the set or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 5–6; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What turquoise costs
Expect roughly $1–500/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is turquoise treated, and how?
The majority is stabilised with polymer. Dyeing, waxing and reconstitution are all widespread, and untreated natural material is a small fraction of the market.
Where does turquoise come from?
Nishapur, Iran, Arizona and Nevada, USA, Hubei, China and Sinai, Egypt. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is turquoise hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 5–6 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does turquoise cost?
Indicatively $1–500/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is turquoise confused with?
Most often Dyed howlite, Magnesite, Reconstituted turquoise, Chrysocolla and Plastic. A refractive index of 1.610–1.650 and a specific gravity near 2.31–2.84 separate it quickly.
What is turquoise used for besides jewellery?
prayer beads, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for turquoise?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about turquoise