Turquoise in China and Tibet

At an elevation of almost 16 thousand feet above sea level, the Himalayas easily take the title of highest mountain range on Earth. Tibet and China, two enchanted lands, are separated by these towering mountains. It is incredible that turquoise was able to enter the culture at all given the region's challenging geography, climate, and topography. Turquoise is believed to have been brought to Tibet and Western China by Iranian merchants and adventurers many years ago. These exquisite stones were then used by Tibetan artisans to create ornamental and sacred jewellery. Because of its dazzling hue and its association with good fortune, turquoise has been revered ever since.

Among the oldest of the gem stones, turquoise has a long history of widespread use. It has been used as currency for thousands of years and is highly prized in Tibet and China. Most of the locals frequent it often. It has long been revered for its ability to ward against evil and restore health. Turquoise is a common addition to braided hairstyles in Tibet and Western China. Horses' manes, braids, and saddles frequently have turquoise stones for good luck. The yaks are sometimes adorned with turquoise tassels. Because the yak is so revered in Tibetan and Western Chinese society, this is done as a measure of security as well. It is most common to find turquoise stones set in silver jewellery. It is believed that turquoise earrings , bracelets or necklaces will safeguard its bearer against untimely deaths, disasters, and financial hardships.

The Western Chinese and the Tibetan people both think that turquoise may protect travellers. If placed in the ear, it serves as protection from future lives as a donkey. To dream of turquoise is a very fortunate omen that portends a lifetime of success and wealth. Finding turquoise is like striking gold because it brings good fortune and revitalization. As its most essential function, it is thought to prevent the user from being tainted by their own crimes. It has been said that turquoise represents loyalty and friendship. If you were to offer this to a friend, they would be shielded from harm and blessed with good fortune. It's also been shown to help keep the peace at home. Jewelry made from turquoise is common in Tibet and other parts of China. Turquoise's vibrant green and blue colour can fade to a dark brown or even black if it is left untreated for too long. The Tibetans see the hues as representing the birth, ageing, and death of a human being.

Large turquoise mines continue to operate today. Beautiful turquoise can be found in the Southwestern United States and in some regions of Iran. Northwest Hubei province in China, however, is home to one of the world's largest turquoise mines. Large quantities of turquoise have been mined in China since the Qing Dynasty. China is a massive country with hundreds of turquoise mines spread out across the country. Even now, the Hubei provincial mine is one of the most visited in all of China.

Turquoise Gemstone Jewelry Buying Tips

Turquoise is a popular gemstone for rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets because of its one-of-a-kind, energising allure and the sophisticated air it lends to the wearer. Stone has long been used by artisans and artists as a medium for creating works of beauty. Because of its colour, gold, silver, and stainless steel can all be used to set this gemstone.

Today's markets are flooded with fake turquoise jewellery, making it difficult to find authentic pieces. It's not wise to shop for jewellery of any kind without first educating yourself about the characteristics of the stones you're interested in, and turquoise jewellery is no exception. Ancient cultures widely adorned themselves with turquoise because they believed that it protected its owner from both death and bad luck. People also thought this stone might help them gain insight. Considering all of its advantages, it's no surprise that jewellery containing this stone is currently trendy. However, the following considerations should be made before to making the purchase.

Characteristics

It's not hard to track down turquoise, as it may be mined in a number of countries. This opaque gemstone forms under extreme conditions of heat and pressure, which is important to keep in mind. This precious stone is a copper and aluminium hydrous phosphate. This type of gemstone is typically found in a softer state during mining, and it has a colour palette that spans from intense blue to a lighter green, with very little or no webbing. The presence of copper compounds is responsible for this gemstone's varying colours. Turquoise is a soft to medium gemstone, scoring a 5 or 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

The importance of turquoise and its care

While mined turquoise is fairly pliable, the gemstones used in the jewellery are surprisingly robust. Turquoise gemstones are treated to increase their hardness so that they can be used in jewellery. Producers of turquoise gemstones may use treatments such as stabilisation, dyeing, or reconstitution to increase the gem's durability. There's also the option of oiling and waxing the stone.

These vibrant stones are dipped in a stabilising substance during the stabilisation procedure. Turquoise loses its original colour after prolonged skin contact and oil absorption, so a stabilisation step is necessary to preserve its original colour. Due to the treatment, the colour will remain unchanged for a long time.

Dyeing is a form of stabilisation in which artists dye the gem. This process improves the gemstone by making the colour more uniform and vivid.

Artists use this technique of reconstituting small stones by grinding them into powder to make one huge stone. Some pieces of reconstituted jewellery, however, may be embellished with synthetic stones. Consequently, one must exercise caution when purchasing such goods.

The American Gem Trade Association recommends that anyone interested in purchasing turquoise jewellery educate themselves on the many augmentations that can be added to the stone (AGTA). Researching the gemstone's history of enhancements is recommended. If the vendor is vague about the treatment process, you should go elsewhere.

A Guide to the Varieties of Turquoise

There are several locations around the world where turquoise can be found. However, armed with some background information, you'll be able to see the forgeries for what they are. This situation is decided by the colour of the gemstone.

• Sleeping Beauty is a solid gemstone mined in Arizona's Sleeping Beauty Mines and found in a spectrum of blue shades, from deep royal to pale sky.
• The Chinese are the source of chalk, a porous white gemstone mined there.
• Persian - This gem is exclusively mined in Iran, and its distinctive Robin's egg blue hue has made it a popular export from the country.
• Bisbee is a gemstone found in Arizona and comes in a range of blue colours and is mined there.

Choose a Trustworthy Jeweler

Always purchase jewellery from a reputable store to reduce the likelihood of paying for a fake. As the cost of turquoise jewellery varies depending on the type of stone used and the place from where it originated, knowing the identity of the gemstone is essential.