Shopping Guides

Apparel & Accessories
- General Care Guidelines
- Glossary
  - Apparel Terms
  - Footwear Terms
  - Footwear Diagram
  - Handbags Terms
- Fabrics & Weaves
- Fashion by Body Type
- Five Fashion Essentials
- Handbag Weight Comparisons
- Fibers
- Scarves in Fashion
- Size Information
- Sunglasses
Beauty
- Cosmetics 101
  - Cosmetic Tools and Care
    - Cosmetic Brushes
    - Face Tools
    - Eye Tools
    - Other Beauty Tools
  - Makeup Application & Color Guide
    - Cheeks
    - Eyebrows
    - Eyes
    - Foundation
    - Lips
    - Hints for Mature Skin
    - Hints for Quick Application
    - The Smoky Eye Effect
  - Makeup by Occasion
- Hair Types and Styling
- Ingredient Glossary
- Skin Care
  - Acne/Oily Skin
  - Aging Skin
  - Dry Skin
  - Normal Skin
  - Sensitive Skin
- Skin Care Regimen
  - Cleanse
  - Tone
  - Exfoliate
  - Refresh
  - Moisturize
  - Firm
  - Protect
- Fragrance Types
Computers & Electronics
- Choosing a Camera
  - Camera Functions
  - Camera Glossary
  - Digital Cameras
- Choosing a Computer
  - Choosing a Notebook
  - Computer Glossary
  - Setting Up Your Computer
- Choosing a GPS
- Gaming Systems & Ratings
- Home Theater Systems
  - Home Theater Glossary
- Refurbished Electronics
- TV Glossary& FAQs
- Unlocked Phones
Coins
- American Coin Designs
- Coin Glossary
- Grading & Certification
- History of Coin Collecting
- History of Coin Jewelry
- Mints & Mint Marks
- Other Currency
- State & Territory Quarters
- Types of Coin Collections
- Types of Coin Collectors
Health & Fitness
- Bicycles
- BOSU Ball Exercises
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Nutrition Glossary
- Pre-Workout Warm-ups
- Resistance Bands
- Stability Ball Exercises
- Stationary Bikes
- Treadmills
House & Home
- Bath Towels
- Bedding
  - Choosing Sheets
  - Down
  - Fabrics, Weaves & Fibers
  - General Care Guidelines
  - Size Information
  - Top Layers
- Cookware
  - Care & Maintenance
    - All-Clad Care
    - Cast Iron Care
    - Copper Care
    - Nonstick Care
    - Stainless Steel Care
  - Materials
  - Pieces
- Cutlery
  - Knife Construction
  - Types of Knives
  - Sharpening Knives
  - Safety Tips
  - Care and Cleaning
- Decor Periods
- Dining & Entertaining
  - Food, Drinks & Tabletop
  - Setting a Casual Table
  - Setting a Semi-Formal Table
  - Setting a Formal Table
- Feng Shui
  - Five Elements
  - Yin and Yang
  - Feng Shui in Your Home
- Furniture Styles
- Furniture Woods
- Gemstone Globes
- Home Decor Essentials
- Kitchen Appliances
  - Blenders
  - Coffeemakers
  - Deep Fryers
  - Espresso Machines
    - Types of Espresso Machines
    - Subcategories
    - Types of Power
    - Freshly Ground or Pod?
    - Espresso Glossary
    - Some Basics to Consider
    - Cleaning Your Espresso Machine
    - Cups & Saucers
  - Induction Cooktops
  - Microwaves
  - Rice Cookers
  - Toasters & Toaster Ovens
- Lighting
  - Types of Lighting
  - Types of Lamps
  - Light Bulbs
  - Lighting Glossary
- Luggage Tips
- Mattresses
  - Mattress Comfort
  - Mattress Sizes
  - Mattress Types
    - Air Chamber
    - Innerspring
    - Latex Foam
    - Memory Foam
- Rugs
- Sewing Machines
- Wine Enjoyment
  - Aerating & Decanting Wine
  - Storing & Preserving Wine
  - Wine Glass Types
  - Wine Glossary
  - Wine Tasting 101
    - Types of Wine Tastings
    - How to Conduct a Tasting
    - The Tasting Process
    - Tasting Cards
- Design Motifs & Symbolism
Jewelry
- Birthstones
- Care and Storage
- Clasps and Closures
  - Earring Backs
  - Necklace and Bracelet Clasps
- Cleaning Methods
- Created and Simulated Gems
- Gemstones
  - Clarity and Color Grading
  - Settings
  - Mohs Scale
  - Enhancement and Care
  - Shapes or Cuts
  - A-B Gemstones
    - Agate
    - Alexandrite
    - Amazonite
    - Amber
    - Amethyst
    - Ametrine
    - Andalusite
    - Ammolite
    - Andesine
    - Apatite
    - Aquamarine
    - Aventurine
    - Azurite
    - Beryl
    - Bloodstone
    - Boulder Opal
    - Brazanite
  - C-F Gemstones
    - Carnelian
    - Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
    - Chalcedony
    - Charoite
    - Chrome Diopside
    - Chrysocolla
    - Chrysoprase
    - Cinnabar
    - Citrine
    - Coral
    - Diamond
    - Diopside
    - Drusy
    - Dumortierite
    - Emerald
    - Eudialite
    - Fire Opal
    - Fluorite
  - G-N Gemstones
    - Garnet
    - Howlite
    - Hematite
    - Iolite
    - Jade
    - Jasper
    - Kunzite
    - Kyanite
    - Labradorite
    - Lapis Lazuli
    - Larimar
    - Larvikite
    - Magnesite
    - Malachite
    - Mandarin Garnet
    - Marcasite
    - Moldavite
    - Moonstone
    - Morganite
    - Mother of Pearl
    - Mystic Topaz
  - O-R Gemstones
    - Obsidian
    - Onyx
    - Opal
    - Ouro Verde
    - Padparadscha Sapphire
    - Pearl
    - Paua Shell (Abalone)
    - Peridot
    - Peruvian Blue Opal
    - Pietersite
    - Prasiolite
    - Prehnite
    - Quartz
    - Queen Conch Shell
    - Rhodochrosite
    - Rhodolite
    - Rubellite
    - Ruby
  - S-Z Gemstones
    - Sandstone
    - Sapphire
    - Serpentine
    - Sodalite
    - Spessartite
    - Sphene
    - Spinel
    - Sunstone
    - Tanzanite
    - Tashmarine
    - Tiger's Eye
    - Topaz
    - Tourmaline
    - Tsavorite
    - Turquoise
    - Unakite
    - Venetian and Murano Glass
    - Zircon
    - Zoisite
    - Zultanite
- Glossary
- Jewelry Trends
  - Alternative Birthstones
  - Astrology
  - Chinese Zodiac
  - Italian Gold
  - Jewelry Designs
  - Right-Hand Rings
  - Traditional Anniversary Gifts
- Manufacturing Techniques
- Metals
  - Ceramic
  - Copper
  - Gold
  - Plated Silver or Bronze
  - Platinum
  - Ruthenium Plating
  - Stainless Steel
  - Sterling Silver
  - Tungsten
- Size Information
Watches
- Watch Glossary
- Invicta Collections
- Maintenance, Care & Cleaning
- Measurements & Sizing
- Strap & Bracelet Materials
- Watch Case Dimensions
- Watch Components
  - Case
  - Crystal
  - Dial
  - Movement
  - Strap/Bracelet
- Water Resistance Levels
- Watch Weight Comparisons

Untitled Document

One of the oldest known gems, turquoise has been prized for thousands of years. The Egyptians believed it had powerful mystical properties, and turquoise jewelry has been found interred with 7,500-year-old mummies. Ancient manuscripts from Persia, India, Afghanistan and Arabia say that the health of a person wearing turquoise could be assessed by variations in the color of the stone. Montezuma's treasure, now displayed in the British Museum, includes a carved serpent covered by a mosaic of turquoise.

Turquoise was especially revered by the Native American culture, an association that dates back to the Aztec empire more than 700 years ago. For the Aztecs, turquoise was reserved for the gods and mere mortals were forbidden to wear it. They believed it to be a gem of good fortune and a commodity more valuable than gold. Native Americans believed turquoise protected people from demons and they even placed turquoise in tombs to guard the dead. The stone's colors were thought to be symbolically blue for the heavens and green for the earth. Often warriors tied turquoise to their bows to ensure accurate shots.

Today, turquoise is still believed to provide protection and bring luck. It is said to also promote prosperity, love, healing, courage and friendship. The stone is thought to relax the mind and ease mental tension.

The gem's opaque turquoise color varies from shades of greenish blue to deep cobalt to sky blue. Some varieties display white or brown matrixes, which are streaks of the mother stone from which they came, while others have veins of black matrix running through them. Generally, the bluer the blue, the more highly valued the stone. A clear, even texture without mottling or veins is also preferred. The most rare and valuable color is an intense azure, but the most common is the mild to medium sky blue. Sometimes imitated by minerals such as chrysocolla, turquoise stones are often dyed or colored with coatings of various resins.

In the 13th century, turquoise was mistakenly believed to have come from the country of Turkey. Hence, its name came from the French word for Turkey, "Turquie". The stone was actually brought to Europe from Persia (now Iran), via Turkey. It is a mineral usually found in association with copper deposits and is sometimes mined as a by-product of copper mining.

Although turquoise is found in desert regions worldwide, especially in the southwestern United States, perhaps the finest and most valuable comes from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Globe, Arizona. It is named after the Sleeping Beauty Mountain which resembles a reclined woman in a slumbering state. Its turquoise is world renowned for its beauty that ranges from pure robin's egg blue to a darker royal blue.

While only ranking between 5.0 and 6.0 on the Mohs Scale of hardness, turquoise remains quite popular for jewelry. In Europe, turquoise rings are given as forget-me-not gifts, while in the United States, the stone is given as traditional 5th and 11th wedding anniversary gifts. It has even become a modern consideration for the December birthstone. When wearing turquoise over the years, the stone will absorb oil from a person's skin, causing a slight change to the color of turquoise.

Turquoise is commonly treated in various fashions to ensure its durability and visual appeal, especially when set in jewelry. If a stone has been treated, the type of process will be noted.

Stabilized turquoise is enhanced through a process of coating the genuine gemstone with colorless acrylics or resin to fill porous gaps, harden the stone and maintain the stone's color.

Reconstituted turquoise is enhanced through a process in which genuine gemstone fragments are powdered and bonded with resin to reinforce the stone. Turquoise-bearing rock is pulverized and the turquoise is separated from the rock using a float process. The pulverized turquoise is then mixed with a colored resin, which is then injected into a mold to form a solid block. This is then cubed, preformed and fashioned into various shapes and sizes. It is an excellent method of using rough that would otherwise not be usable.

Impregnated turquoise is enhanced through a process in which the genuine gemstone is infused with oil, wax or resin to reinforce the stone.

Mohave turquoise is crafted through a process that uses a hydraulic press to assemble turquoise nuggets together with bronze metal matrix throughout the brick of turquoise. Once the turquoise is pressed or assembled, it is stabilized to harden the stone. Currently, Mohave turquoise is the only product on the market that features genuine Arizona Kingman Mine turquoise and real metal matrix. The Kingman mine is the oldest known turquoise mine in the Americas and is located at the Mineral Park Mine in the Cerbat Mountains, about 14 miles from Kingman, AZ.

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones known in history going back 6,000 years BC and has been revered by almost every ancient culture. It is the alternate birthstone for December and has a Mohs rating of 5.0-6.0. Turquoise is a Hydrous Phosphate of Aluminum and Copper and may form as a chalky coating on rocks or finely disseminated crystals formed within small rock cavities. Rough such as this is not commercially viable, which has led to the development of reconstituted turquoise. Turquoise-bearing rock is pulverized and the turquoise is separated from the rock using a float process. The pulverized turquoise is then mixed with a colored resin, which is then injected into a mold to form a solid block. This is then cubed, preformed and fashioned into various shapes and sizes. It is an excellent method of using rough that would otherwise not be usable.

Shopping Guides

Manage Your Account

Get More with ShopHQ Card