Turquoise facts for kids
Turquoise is a beautiful blue-green mineral that you cannot see through. It is quite rare and can be very valuable, especially the best kinds. For thousands of years, people have loved turquoise as a gem and a decorative stone because of its unique color.
The most famous and highly valued turquoise is a bright sky blue color. This type comes from Iran, near the city of Nishapur. Its beautiful color is often used as a guide to judge how good other turquoise is.
Over time, new ways to treat turquoise, or even make fake versions, have appeared. This has made some natural turquoise seem less special.
This gemstone has had many names throughout history. An ancient Roman writer named Pliny the Elder called it callais. The Aztecs in ancient Mexico knew it as chalchihuitl. The name turquoise came into use around the 17th century. It comes from the French word turquois, which means "Turkish." This is because the stone first arrived in Europe through Turkey. However, some experts say the word appeared earlier, in the 14th century, and meant "Turkish" because the gem came from Turkestan or other Turkish lands.
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What is Turquoise?
Turquoise is a type of mineral that forms when water flows through rocks. It picks up tiny bits of copper and aluminum along the way. These elements are what give turquoise its special blue-green colors. Copper usually makes it blue, while iron can make it greener.
Turquoise is often found in dry areas where there isn't much rain. It forms in cracks and holes in rocks. It's not usually found in big crystals, but rather in clumps or veins.
Where is Turquoise Found?
Turquoise has been mined in many places around the world for thousands of years. Some of the most famous places include:
- Iran: The turquoise from Iran, especially near Nishapur, is known for its clear, sky-blue color.
- United States: The southwestern U.S., including Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, has many important turquoise mines. Native American tribes have used turquoise from these areas for centuries in their jewelry and art.
- Egypt: Ancient Egyptians mined turquoise in the Sinai Peninsula. They used it in their jewelry and for decorating important objects, like the famous mask of Tutankhamun.
- China: Turquoise has also been found and used in China for a very long time.
How People Use Turquoise
For thousands of years, people have used turquoise in many ways:
- Jewelry: It's a popular stone for rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
- Decorations: It's used to decorate statues, masks, and other art pieces.
- Cultural Importance: Many cultures, especially Native American tribes, believe turquoise brings good luck, protection, or healing.
Caring for Turquoise
Turquoise is a somewhat soft gem compared to diamonds or rubies. This means it can scratch more easily. It can also change color if it's exposed to chemicals, oils, or even too much sunlight. That's why it's important to care for turquoise jewelry carefully.
Images for kids
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"Big Blue", a large turquoise specimen from a copper mine in Cananea, Mexico.
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Cutting and grinding turquoise in Nishapur, Iran, in 1973.
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Persian turquoise from Iran.
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A beautiful turquoise piece from Los Cerrillos, New Mexico, US, at the Smithsonian Museum. Native Americans used Cerrillos turquoise a lot before the Spanish arrived.
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Untreated turquoise from Nevada, US. These are rough pieces from the McGinness Mine and blue and green polished stones from the Bunker Hill Mine.
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This turquoise pendant from 1000 to 1040 shows how trading turquoise helped the Ancestral Puebloans of Chaco Canyon become very wealthy.
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The famous gold burial mask of Tutankhamun, decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and colored glass.
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Some natural blue-green minerals, like this chrysocolla with drusy quartz, can sometimes be mistaken for turquoise or used to imitate it.
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An old turquoise mine in Madan, Khorasan Province, Iran.
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A slab of turquoise in its natural rock, showing many different colors.
See also
In Spanish: Turquesa para niños
