TURQUOISE (FEROZA)

What is Turquoise?

Turquoise also known as Feroza. It is an opaque semi-precious gemstone, a hydrated phosphate of aluminum and copper. It has a very rich history mining from 5000 BC in Persia and 6000 BC Egypt.

The word “Turquoise” is a French word meaning “Turkish”, because the stone was brought to Europe through Turkey from Persia. In Iran it’s called “Feroza” which means “Victorious”. In Europe until 13^th century it was called “Callais” word probably from Rome which means “Beautiful Stone”.

It is not that hard stone it has Mohs Scale Hardness of 5 – 6 out of 10 so it should be used with lots of care.

One of the unique feature of turquoise is that it changes its color depending on the mood of wearer, either gets bright or fades, with the passage of time. It is one of a way to judge either stone is real or not.

Turquoise have different shades of blue. Robin’s egg blue without any matrix or rich sky blue color is the most valued shade in turquoise also known as Persian Grade.

Then it comes in greenish and yellowish blue shades which are also of great value but not of that worth as the ones with rich blue shade.

All these shades are because of different element present in the combination. Blue is caused due to presence of Copper, Chromium & Vanadium makes green and iron is the reason of yellowish shade.

Very rarely a blue violet shade is seen in turquoise it’s due to the presence of Strontium in it.

Turquoise comes in different patterns as well, different line structure with different names as Spider webs, Matrix or Shajar. That can be seen on the surface. And are also of great value depending on their unique patterns.

Robins Blue or rich blue shade is because of very little amount of Vanadium and absence of Iron in it. They are of highest value and are largely found in Iran & to very less amount in America.

Different types of Turquoise

1 American Turquoise (Feroza)

America is blessed with lots of working mines of turquoise that produce one of the best quality stones in the world. It satisfies half of the world’s demand of turquoise.

Southwest of America has a large amount of Turquoise of different shades and patterns. It is found officially in Arizona, Nevada & New Mexico.

Arizona produces the best quality turquoise which are rated among the highest graded ones in the world due to its mines.

Sleeping Beauty Mine: It produces the rich celeste blue colored turquoise which is of high quality and very expensive as it is said that this mine is no more produces such stones.

Bisbee Mine:  It produces dark blue turquoise with matrix on them. They are also considered of 2^nd best quality turquoise of America.

Nevada has the largest number of mines among other states of America.

Fox Mine: It is producing different quality turquoise since 1915.

Lander Blue Mine: It produces one of the very valued spider webbed turquoise.

Blue Gem Mine: It also produces large amount of all shades turquoise.

Stormy Mountain Mine: It produces stones with dark color and black matrix on them.

New Mexico’s “Santa Rita Mine” produces light to deep blue colored turquoise.

 

2 Iranian Turquoise (Feroza)

Iran is famous for producing best quality turquoise either rich blue without matrix and even the ones with matrix. Iranian turquoise are sold to high prices due to its appearance and quality.

Just like Turquoise of Sleeping Beauty mine Iranian turquoise of District Nishapur at Ali-Mersai Mountain turquoise of highest quality and worth are extracted.

The color is uniform, beautiful and rich blue. It shades from soft to intense blue in color, and even comes with veins of thin limonitic matrix.

These turquoise of Nishapur are so famous that people commonly state about any good quality turquoise they see or are about to buy, “Is it Persian graded”?

 

3 Egyptian Turquoise (Feroza)

Egypt has a very long history of producing turquoise. Egyptian history tells us that this mineral “Turquoise” was valued and used by Pharaohs.

Egyptians used it in jewelry and in making different ornaments. The mines of Egypt in Sinai Peninsula, Serabit el Khadim Mine and Maharah Mine are being producing turquoise since 1000 BCE.

Blue to greenish blue turquoise are found here with matrix on them due to some amount of limonite presence.

 

4 Chinese Turquoise (Feroza)

Chines turquoise are being extracted since 1300 BCE. Archeologist state that the mines are in production since very ancient times.

Northwest area of Hubei Province and Shaanxi Province consists of Wudang Mountain, it produces good quality turquoise.

Though they are not of such high quality as American and Iranian turquoise. It produces Pale Blue to light green tints of turquoise.

 

5 Tibetan Turquoise (Feroza)

Turquoise is the national gemstone of Tibet. One can even extract it with hands from the ground surface. With a history that goes back to 1000 BCE.

They say it is of such color that the best quality Tibetan turquoise can be used as substitute, if you like Turquoise of Sleeping Beauty Mine and don’t find it.

It is found in the Himalayas in the area known as Lhasa. Lhasa is among those areas of Tibet where turquoise of fine quality are found. Others are Ngari-Khorsum, Derge and Draya.

It produces very beautiful bluish green turquoise and some more to bluish shade. It has a very eye catching matrix and the green is very valued in Tibet.

 

6 Australian Turquoise (Feroza)

Australian turquoise is also one of the beautiful blues of turquoise with spider web like patterns of light brownish color. You might even find in robin’s egg blue color or rich sky blue ones.

Tosca mine a.k.a Tosca Hope, Ammaroo station situated at northern territory of Australia, is the mine which is famous for good quality turquoise that resemble that of Iran.

Though turquoise are very rare in Australia but yet one can get great looking stones from this mine.

Rest you can also find turquoise of Nepal, Brazil, Afghanistan, India, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Europe & Chile as well.