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Turquoise

Turquoise

Blue to green opaque phosphate

Blue Green
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.61 – 1.65
Luster
Waxy to subvitreous
Pleochroism
None Variable depending on transparency, orientation, and variety.
Fluorescence
Variable to inert.
Origins

Source localities

Iran Iran: Nishapur / Khorasan
Premium ★ Top Source

Classic Persian turquoise source.

41.2% est. supply
Mexico Mexico: Querétaro / Jalisco / Sonora / Coahuila
Notable

Known for fire opal, turquoise, amber and collector minerals.

21.8% est. supply
United States USA: major gem fields
Notable

Diverse sources for turquoise, tourmaline, opal, sapphire, topaz, red beryl and rare minerals.

18.5% est. supply
China China: Xinjiang / Yunnan / Hubei
Notable

Known for jade, turquoise, quartz and multiple gem deposits.

18.5% est. supply
Treatments

Enhancement & treatment

Color Enhancement Dyeing Dyeing artificially improves color in porous or fractured materials. Durability varies and disclosure is… Surface Enhancement Waxing Waxing is a common minor surface enhancement. In jade it is often accepted when… Impregnation Stabilization Stabilization impregnates porous material with polymer to improve durability and sometimes color. It is… Color Enhancement Sugar-Acid Treatment Sugar-acid treatment darkens porous material by carbonizing sugar inside the structure. It is deceptive…
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look… Clouds Pinpoint Clouds Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small… Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Identification

Instruments used

Dichroscope Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones Hydrostatic Scale Measures specific gravity, works even on opaque stones 10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin