Turquoise is one of the world’s most beloved gemstones, known for its vibrant colors and timeless beauty. From ancient royalty to modern fashion, turquoise has adorned people for thousands of years. But not all turquoise looks the same. Depending on where it comes from and how it forms, turquoise can vary greatly in color, pattern, and value. This article explores the many different types of turquoise, making it easy to understand their differences and unique qualities.
What Is Turquoise?
Turquoise is a blue-to-green mineral made of copper and aluminum. It forms over time as water rich in minerals flows through rocks, leaving behind colorful deposits. These deposits become the turquoise we see in jewelry today.
Turquoise is often found in dry, arid regions where volcanic or sedimentary rocks are common. It’s a relatively soft gemstone, which makes it ideal for carving and setting in various styles of jewelry.
The Beauty of Variation
One of the reasons turquoise is so loved is because of its diversity. Some stones are bright sky blue. Others are green with golden veins. Some have spiderweb patterns, while others are solid. Each piece is a reflection of the land it came from.
Major Types of Turquoise by Region
Turquoise is often classified by the mine or region where it is found. Here are the most well-known types:
1. Persian Turquoise (Iran)
Persian turquoise is famous for its bright robin’s egg blue color. It is usually free of matrix (the dark or light veins that appear in some turquoise) and is prized for its pure, smooth appearance. This type has been valued since ancient times and was used in palaces and temples.
2. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise (Arizona, USA)
This turquoise is known for its solid sky blue color and very little matrix. It comes from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, Arizona. It was one of the most popular types used in commercial jewelry due to its clarity and classic color. Although the mine closed in 2012, this turquoise remains highly sought after.
3. Kingman Turquoise (Arizona, USA)
Kingman turquoise ranges from light blue to dark blue and often has a black or brown spiderweb matrix. It is one of the oldest and most active turquoise mines in the U.S. and produces a wide variety of colors and patterns.
4. Bisbee Turquoise (Arizona, USA)
Bisbee turquoise is known for its deep blue color and distinctive chocolate brown matrix. It comes from the Bisbee mine, which originally focused on copper. Turquoise was a by-product. Today, Bisbee turquoise is rare and valuable.
5. Morenci Turquoise (Arizona, USA)
Morenci turquoise often has a rich blue color with iron pyrite inclusions that give it a metallic sparkle. These shiny flecks make it very recognizable. The mine is no longer active, which adds to its collectible status.
6. Royston Turquoise (Nevada, USA)
Royston turquoise includes many shades—green, blue, and everything in between. It often displays multiple colors in a single stone, with golden brown matrix. This striking contrast makes Royston turquoise popular in artisan jewelry.
7. Lone Mountain Turquoise (Nevada, USA)
This turquoise is famous for its intense blue color and tight spiderweb matrix. It’s hard and doesn’t need to be stabilized, making it excellent for high-end jewelry. Lone Mountain turquoise has been mined since the 1920s.
8. Pilot Mountain Turquoise (Nevada, USA)
Pilot Mountain turquoise has beautiful green-blue colors with a strong brown or reddish matrix. It’s known for its striking visual texture and artistic appeal. This variety is still being mined today.
9. Blue Gem Turquoise (Nevada, USA)
Blue Gem turquoise was known for both its deep blue and bright green stones. It came from multiple locations and offered wide variation in color. Mining stopped in the 1970s, so these stones are now considered vintage.
10. Chinese Turquoise (Hubei, China)
Chinese turquoise has gained popularity for its variety and beauty. It comes in many colors, from light blue to green, often with dark spiderweb matrix. Hubei Province is the most famous source. While some stones are stabilized, others are natural and very high quality.
11. Egyptian Turquoise (Sinai Peninsula)
Turquoise has been mined in Egypt for over 6,000 years. Ancient Egyptian turquoise has a slightly greenish tone and may appear more earthy than modern types. Today, Sinai turquoise continues to be mined in limited quantities.
Turquoise Classification by Color
Besides origin, turquoise can also be classified by color. Here are the main categories:
Sky Blue
This is the most classic turquoise color. Sleeping Beauty and Persian turquoise are good examples. Sky blue stones are typically high in copper content and low in iron.
Green Turquoise
Green turquoise contains more iron and less copper. Royston and Pilot Mountain often produce green stones. Some buyers love green turquoise for its earthy, organic look.
Blue-Green or Teal
Many types fall in between, offering a blend of blue and green. This mixed color is trendy in modern bohemian jewelry styles.
Turquoise Matrix Patterns
The matrix is the host rock that appears as veins or patterns in turquoise. It can vary in shape, color, and size. Here are a few types:
Spiderweb Matrix
This pattern resembles a net or web of fine lines. It’s very popular and appears in stones like Lone Mountain and Chinese turquoise.
Chunky or Boulder Matrix
These are thick veins or patches of host rock. They create a bold, natural look and are often seen in Royston and Pilot Mountain turquoise.
No Matrix (Clear Turquoise)
Stones without matrix are rare and valued for their clean appearance. Persian and Sleeping Beauty turquoise are known for this trait.
Natural vs. Stabilized Turquoise
Natural turquoise is untreated and cut directly from the stone. It is more rare, often more expensive, and usually harder. Some turquoise is soft and chalky when mined. These stones are stabilized—soaked in resin—to make them durable for jewelry.
Stabilized turquoise can still be beautiful and real. However, natural turquoise tends to be more valuable and prized by collectors.
Dyed or Reconstituted Turquoise
Some lower-grade turquoise is dyed to enhance its color or ground into powder and pressed into blocks. These forms are less valuable and are often used in mass-produced jewelry.
How to Tell Turquoise Types Apart
Identifying turquoise takes experience. Experts look at color, matrix pattern, hardness, and sometimes even the mine’s known characteristics. Many high-end stones come with certificates or are sold by trusted dealers.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to buy from reputable sources or ask for testing through a gem lab.
Why Turquoise Types Matter
Each type of turquoise tells a story—of land, time, and culture. Jewelry collectors often seek specific mines or colors. Some types, like Bisbee or Morenci, are no longer mined, so they’re more rare and valuable.
Designers also choose turquoise based on its look. Clean, bright blue stones may suit elegant settings. Wild, webbed patterns work well in rustic or bold designs.
Conclusion
There are dozens of different types of turquoise, each with its own charm. From the vivid blue of Persian stones to the green veined beauty of Royston, turquoise is a gemstone that never stops surprising. Its range of colors, textures, and histories makes it a treasure for collectors, designers, and wearers alike.
Whether you love clean, matrix-free stones or the wild patterns of boulder turquoise, there’s a type for every taste. Learning about turquoise types can deepen your appreciation for this timeless gem and help you choose the perfect piece of jewelry.
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