Turquoise for the most part is quite porous. This means it is vulnerable to chipping or fading over time. Some of the earlier turquoise mined in Persia was more stable but sadly those mines are depleted. What is done to protect the stones so we can wear our jewelry without worry? The primary processes are: Stabilized Turquoise: The rough material is soaked in an … [Read more...]
Turquoise Legends and Lore
Here is the 3rd in a series of posts about turquoise gemstones. Today I am going to share many of the legends and lore associated with this gemstone. Let's get started! Did you know? Turquoise is considered a protective stone. It was used to protect both horse and rider on long journeys.In South and Central America, the Aztecs, Incas and the Mayans wore turquoise in … [Read more...]
Tantalizing Turquoise
Here is the 2nd in a series of posts about turquoise. The cuff shown here features a bright blue turquoise gem from the Bisbee, Arizona mine. I am sure you have seen many types of turquoise stones over the years. The colors vary from blue/green to deeper blue. What is the reason for the different hues? It all depends upon what other minerals are found with the particular … [Read more...]
Did you know this about Turquoise?
Turquoise Gemstones are one of my favorites. The gorgeous blue/green hues blend well with silver and copper metals. How much do you really know about this gem? Over the next several weeks I plan to stimulate your senses with everything turquoise! First a few facts: The name turquoise comes from the French words 'Pierre Turquoise', meaning literally 'Turkish Stone' You … [Read more...]
Forget the Ruby Slippers Dorothy…
Wear the ruby jewelry instead! OK, I know that technically Dorothy needed the slippers to get her out of OZ, but none of us have that excuse do we? A couple of years ago a customer asked me to design a ring using a ruby gemstone. I had not worked with rubies before so was excited for the challenge. When researching the options we ultimately chose a lab grown gemstone. … [Read more...]
