1111111Turquoise has captivated man's imagination for years. This remarkable stone has been coveted , romanced, fought for and owned with pride. I'ts rich history dates back to Queen Zar of Egypt's First Dynasty, approximately 5500 B.C.
1111I'ts called the stone of Life and Good Fortune and believed to relax and strengthen the mind, ease stress, protect from evil, accidents, injuries, ailments, and bring happiness and good fortune to the owner.
1111Turquoise varies in color from rich shades of green and blue-green to sky blue. It is found on almost every continent in the world; Iran, Afghanistan, Chile, Mexico, Australia, China and especially in the Southwestern United States
1111In the Southwestern United States, no gemstone is more popular and many today believe turquoise to be the most valuable non-transparent mineral in the jewelry business.
1111 Less than 1% of the turquoise mined today is considered gem grade natural. The porous nature of stone makes it susceptible to color changes as it comes in contact with and absorbs elements such as body oils. Thus the vast majority of turquoise on the market today is stabilized (inpregnated) with acrylic or epoxy resins. This process improves the color, making it stable and unchangeable. A higher level of structural integrity is also achieved enabling the skilled lapidary to fashion more creative designs. If not for the stabilizing process there would be relatively no turquoise on the market today.