::TURQUOISE::

HEALING PROPERTIES:
Turquoise is a very sacred stone used for centuries by the Native American's in all healing work. This is a stone of peace, serenity and tranquility. Increases protection, meditation energy, wisdom, balance, honest communication, strength, friendship and love. Shields the wearer from harmful influences, attracts friendship. In healing this stone connects the spiritual bodies with the other levels: the physical, emotional, and intellectual. It is said that turquoise will grow pale on a sickly person and recover its color when returned to a healthy person. Overlaps the heart and throat energy centers and connects the three upper and three lower chakras. Beneficial for the entire body, especially the respiratory and immune systems It is good for laryngitis and nervousness in speech Can strengthen entire anatomy and helps improve all diseases. Color varies from Blue to Green.

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
The color of turquoise ranges from sky blue through various shades of green to greenish and yellowish gray. The sky-blue variety of turquoise, commonly referred to as robin's egg, is the form most desired for jewelry. When excessively exposed to sunlight or heat, this variety may become dehydrated and turn green. Turquoise is opaque except in the thinnest splinters, and has a feeble, faintly waxy lustre. Turquoise is opaque and cryptocrystalline mineral composed chiefly of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphates [CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈*4H₂O]. It is a secondary mineral deposited from circulating waters, and it occurs as granular veins running through a host rock.

Turquoise

Chemical Formula

CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈°4(H₂O)

Hardness

6.00

Specific Gravity

2.80

Refractive Index

1.61 - 1.65

ORIGIN HISTORY:
The name turquoise undoubtedly comes from turc (Turkish in French) as it was transported to Europe through Turkey. W its blue hue, it is among the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise was obtained from the Sinai Peninsula before the 4th millennium BC in one of the world's first important hard-rock mining operations. Turquoise was in use even before 4000 BC! The Aztec of Mexico commonly used turquoise for their fine mosaic art and introduced the stone to the surrounding areas, where it became known as chalchihuitl.
It was an important ornamental mineral for jewelry and bracelets wore by the ancient Egyptians. It graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and adorned the ceremonial dress of early native Americans. Turquoise has been attributed with healing powers as well as promoting the wearer's status and wealth. A very special stone indeed, Turquoise is a sacred stone to many American Indian tribes and has been used in various jewelry items.