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Persian Turquoise
From the ancient mines of Sinai, Iran, and Persia, turquoise has enthralled man with its majestic appearance, thereby, projecting a certain impression of mysticism. No wonder why the ancient Egyptians consider it as something with magical powers.
And with its elegance and exquisiteness, turquoise has been used as the primary embellishments in ornaments like jewelries, figures, and other art forms. These adorable gems had been quite a symbol of royalty, where Egyptian rulers wore them on their robes or used them as decorations for their jewelries.
From generation to generation, the works of man will never be the same without the inclusion of turquoise. These remarkable pieces of minerals are, beyond doubt, God’s gift to humanity.
The turquoise family is classified under the variety of Phosphates. Their luster is generally described as “dull to waxy.” They are mostly abundant in the different areas of Tibet, Iran (previously known as Persia), Egypt, Southwestern United States, China, and Arizona.
Among the many types of turquoises, the Persian turquoise is said to be the excellent type of turquoise ever excavated in Persia.
In fact, the powerful “sky blue” color of the Persian turquoise has been the most in demand gem in the market for so many years now.
Persian turquoise is characterized by its sheer, uniform blue color with no mark of “black veins” (spider web) or even the green color. No wonder why most people describe it as a “piece of sky.”
The blue color of the Persian turquoise is the primary factor that defines its value. Hence, the more dominant the green color appears, the lesser the value. The dominance of the spider web in Persian turquoises will also lessen its value.
The blueness of the Persian turquoise is brought about by copper, while the greenish color in other types of turquoise is produced by chromium or iron.
Persian turquoise has a nonporous texture, thereby, creating a “high gloss polish.” It falls under the 5-6 range of the “Moh’s hardness scale.” This simply means that they are more pliable than quartz.
Consequently, the rarity of this gem makes it even more expensive and exclusive.
With the finest qualities that Persian turquoise has, any other type of turquoise with high quality are dabbed as “Persian Grade,” meaning the quality of the gem marks the elegant attributes of Persian turquoise.
However, at the last part of the 1800’s up to the onset of the 1900’s, the popularity of the Persian turquoise weakened. This is caused by the findings of the contemporary miners regarding the notable build up of high-class turquoise in the southwestern and western portion of the U.S. The qualities of these turquoises were said to be of the same quality as that of the Persian turquoise.
From that time on, Persian turquoise is no longer a type of turquoise classified according to its origin. With the elegance and sophistication that this type of turquoise has, any other type of turquoise bearing the same qualities are considered as Persian turquoise.
Since the Persian turquoise is a high-class piece of gem, it is important to learn how to maintain its luster and elegance all throughout its use.
Here are some tips in caring for your precious gem:
1. Wax it out
Even if the Persian turquoise is made from the highest quality of nature’s recipe, its color can still fade throughout the time.
For this reason, experts say that it is important for the turquoise to be maintained with regular hardening and waxing treatment. In turn, this will make your precious stone stronger to stand the test of time.
2. Ban the light, heat, and make-up
Never expose your Persian turquoise to direct and intense daylight. This will put a negative effect on its luster and shine.
Also, it is best to protect your Persian turquoise from heat and cosmetics. Any chemical reactions will definitely affect the natural beauty of the gem.
3. Clean it after use
If you have Persian turquoise embedded in your jewelries, it is best to clean them every after use. Cleaning them with a soft cloth will maintain its luster and shine, as well as its sky blue color.
4. Protect them from scratch
Experts say that any item that falls below 7 of the Mohs hardness scale is easily dented or scratched. Hence, it is best to put apply extra protection to preserve its beauty.
Indeed, Persian turquoise can be one of the most beautiful embellishments that anyone can embed in their jewelries or any ornaments. Just try to keep these tips in mind and you will surely enjoy your Persian turquoise for a long, long time.
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