Description

Turquoise tumbled stones

Turquoise has a Triclinic crystal system and is in the mineral class of phosphate. It is formed in a sedimentary manner as fillings in clefts. When solutions containing copper react with rock rich in aluminum phosphates, this beautiful stone is the result. Depending on where it was formed, its coloring ranges from sky blue to aqua and green at times shades of yellow (varieties from Asia).

A relatively common stone, it is found all over the world. The bluest forms come from the US and northern Mexico. A more aqua colored variety comes from Persia where it is actually their national stone. In many cultures it is used for protection from spells and worn as amulets to warn the wearer of threats of danger.

Yellow-green forms are now coming from areas in the middle east which does not contain as much copper. It is the copper that provides the blue and green colors most are familiar with.