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White Turquoise
White turquoise is extremely valuable as it is rare. While most turquoise stones are bluish or greenish in color, white turquoise – as its name implies – white in color. In a sense, they do look like a bright sunny sky captured in a stone.
The fact that they are unique and rare has made this stone very valuable. White Buffalo Turquoise is mined in the Dry Field Mines in Nevada. Turquoise mined from this are have a particularly light blue appearance accentuated by white streaks. Unfortunately, this has been the only vein that has exhibited this unique coloration.
Howlite may sometimes be called white turquoise. Howlite is solid white in color, and breaks the stereotype of the bluish green turquoise stone. While howlite is not as valualbe as turquoise, it can be a unique jewelry choice. Howlite is also sometimes dyed blue and passed off as turquoise.
Given their relative value, it becomes important for owners of these stones to take the necessary measures to keep these stones in optimal condition. Here are some tips to help owners of these stones to keep them from deteriorating.
1. Store Your Jewelries if Not in Use
It may be a lot easier to just keep your jewelry on your body – they are precious, that they are, and are probably safe when they are close to you – but they are at a greater risk of damage because they are constantly exposed to the elements.
And in addition to this, they also make you a more palatable target for muggers and thieves. You should store your stones if they are not in use. Some people actually wear their jewelry even when they are exercising, or doing a physically challenging activity.
You should avoid this as much as possible since you could easily crack turquoise if you accidentally smash it against something hard. This is especially true for rings and other commonly worn jewelry. If you forget to remove these stones before engaging in a particularly strenuous activity, you could accidentally shatter these stones against other hard objects.
2. Keep Your Turquoise Clean – But Don’t Use Chemicals!
Unlike other metals and crystals, turquoise is a rock gemstone. Crystals are composed of a single mineral, while rocks are made of a hodge podge of a dozen. They are a lot more sensitive than other jewels and require special care.
Cleaning solvents, ammonia-based cleanser, and even mild soap can all cause your turquoise considerable damage. These porous rocks let chemicals seep in. The soap could easily build up within them, causing discoloration and damage. Imagine the harm that other harsher chemicals may cause if they find their way to your jewels!
You should also definitely avoid ultrasonic cleaning and ammonia-based cleaners. They will do much more harm than good to your white turquoise jewels. The harm that these cleaners may cause may very well be irreparable.
To clean them, you should simply use a moist cloth and wipe the grime off of its surface. Make sure you do not do this too roughly. Remember that you are trying to protect its patina, or a natural layer that makes your white turquoise more valuable.
If you wear your jewelry all the time, make sure you remove them before you take a bath or wash up. Remember that soap can damage the stone. Wipe off suds if you find them with a moist, but lint-free cloth.
3. Keep Your Jewels Separated
When keeping your jewelry, make sure they do not scratch against one another or other items in its storage box. This is a cardinal sin many people commit when keeping their jewelry.
You should keep your jewels securely stored – and safe from one another. The only way to do this is to store them separately using plastic bags made of Mylar or Polyethylene. You don’t want to imagine what hard, sharp edged jewelry can do to your turquoise.
White Turquoise needs extra careful attention. However, its value and uniqueness makes it well worth the effort. If you look at it hard enough you will find that caring for your white turquoise is not really cumbersome. If anything, it actually reaffirms the fact that it truly is a rare and valuable gem that deserves space in your jewelry box.
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