Jewelry  

Turquoise makes a stylish Western statement

Turquoise makes a stylish Western statement
Justin Henine-Hardenne  |  by www.chron.com. All rights reserved. 15.03 | 22:18

HOW IT'S MADE:

  • Turquoise develops in high elevations of arid regions, including Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
  • As wind and water erode rock over time, the chemical building blocks are released.
  • Copper, phosphorus and other minerals accumulate in cracks of the rock and crystallize, forming deposits of the semiprecious stone.

    COLOR:

  • Most turquoise is blue, green or blue-green. Much rarer is white or dry creek turquoise, and "Lander Blue" turquoise, a deep blue with a lot of matrix (dark, veiny lines).
  • Generally, the color of the stone depends on the amount of copper in its chemical chain.

    Stones with more copper are bluer, while those with less copper and more iron are greener. GRADE:

  • Low-grade turquoise, soft and porous, may lose its color when exposed to sunlight and body oils. DESIGN:
  • Different American Indian tribes are known for their distinctive traditional jewelry designs.

    Navajo pieces tend to have bold stones and bulky silver weight.

  • Zuni designs are delicate, with intricate petit-point patterns.
  • Hopi pieces are more silverwork than stone.

    Size, density, color, rarity and matrix determine turquoise's value. The same mine can yield different grades and colors.
    Clean turquoise with a soft cloth and store it where it won't be scratched by harder gemstones.

  • Keep out of contact with makeup, perfume, hairspray or sunscreen. Sources: Turquoise Unearthed, by Joe Dan Lowry and Joe P. Lowry; The Allure of Turquoise, New Mexico Magazine.


    • Like a pair of good cowboy boots, turquoise jewelry never goes out of style.

    Read more on by www.chron.com. All rights reserved.
    Keywords: New Mexico
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