Turquoise Earrings

Turquoise earrings are very popular and they come in so many different designs, you could have a pair of them for every outfit you own if you wanted to. The beautiful blue color of turquoise always reminds me of the sky, so wearing my turquoise earrings never fails to cheer me up. Much of the Native American jewelry designed in the U.S. contains beautiful turquoise stones. If you love turquoise necklaces, sterling silver turquoise jewelry, or just about any piece of jewelry that has turquoise in it, then there are some things about turquoise that you should know.

• Turquoise is an opaque bluish-green gemstone that has been loved and used in jewelry designs for thousands of years. Europeans called it turquoise because it was brought there from Turkey in the 17th century. It is usually found near copper deposits because it is a copper phosphate mineral. Fine grade turquoise is extremely rare and very valuable, but all turquoise has been devalued recently because of the introduction of various synthetics and treatments. The dark flecks and lines running through turquoise are pyrite or limonite. Persia, the Sinai Peninsula, and the U.S., specifically Arizona, are all significant sources of today’s turquoise.
• Turquoise is not very hard, with a rating of just a little under 6 on the Mohs scale. That means it is roughly as strong as glass and will scratch easily. It does take on a wonderful shine when polished. The most desirable color is a sky color or robin’s egg blue color. Exposure to the sun can eventually cause turquoise to dehydrate and discolor. Always apply perfume, hairspray, etc. before putting on your turquoise earrings, so they don’t get coated with those chemicals. They should be cleaned gently with a soft cloth and stored in a soft bag or lined box to avoid scratching it. It is not a good idea to store turquoise in an airtight container, so a good compromise for storing sterling silver turquoise earrings and other sterling silver turquoise jewelry is to keep it in a drawstring velvet bag with possibly a silica packet to absorb moisture.
• There are many imitations, synthetic and treated versions of turquoise on the market today. Only a gemologist can tell if turquoise is genuine, and what kind of treatments it has had. If you are going to pay a large amount of money for any turquoise jewelry, always ask for a gemological report on the stone to make sure you are getting what you want. Quality jewelry retailers will show you the certificate, and answer your questions about it honestly.

I keep saying this time and time again but do your due diligence when shopping for turquoise earrings. If you want genuine turquoise, you will have to shop at quality stores and ask for gemological reports on the stones you wish to purchase. Turquoise is very versatile and will look great with your cubic zirconia rings or maybe even your sterling silver charm bracelet. If you do your research before buying, you can be sure to find some of the most awesomely beautiful and versatile jewelry around that will last you for years to come!