"Turquoises,
Put color in your life"

Turquoise is a greenish blue mineral very appreciate during thousand years due to its incomparable color. The best turquoise deposits are placed in Iran close to Nishapur. There are also turquoise deposits in Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and U.S. The value of a turquoise depends on its size and color. Turquoise is a quite delicate precious stone; this is why it should be treated with care. Cosmetics, oil, soaps and even sweat usually damage the quality of the stone.

Shape

Turquoises are minerals, unlike pearls (that are created naturally) they must be sculptured to obtain a certain shape, this is why their size is not an important characteristic to determinate its value or quality. As follows we show the most common shapes:

- Rounded: rounded turquoise is symmetrical and rolls straight

- Baroques: this indicates an irregular shape.

- Semi-rounded: these have rounded shape without being totally spherical.

- Semi-baroques: this is a general term that includes different shapes as ‘button’, ‘pear’, ‘drop’, oval. In other words, all those that are not included in the previous groups.

Size

Turquoises might have different sizes, as they are minerals and can be sculptured with any shape and size. We can find turquoises that go from 4-5 mm. to 25-30 mm. depending on the designer desires.

In Monperla you can find Turquoises from 4 mm. which are perfect for bracelets, to 25 mm. which are the biggest, used on flashy necklaces, all turquoises are high-quality.

Quality

Unlike pearls, turquoises do not have an adjustment system due to their quality comes from the purity of the color. The uniformity of color is much appreciated. The work quality is also a positive factor. The most valuable color is blue, though this depends on the country zone. For instance, turquoises with seams are much appreciated in the south-east of U.S. but in Asia the purity and stones without seams are preferred.

Like coral and other dull gems, turquoise is commonly sold according to its size.

In Monperla you can find the most exquisite turquoises in the market and a great rate of colors, shapes and size in order to choose the best.

Color

Color is not an important factor in order to rate the value or quality of a turquoise. The most appreciate color is dark blue, as it is not usually to find a totally pure turquoise, and its value decrease as green color predominates, the lack of color and flecks.

Its range of colors is much varied going from bluish white to dark blue and sky blue; and from greenish blue to yellowish green.

If you wish to know more about different kinds of pearls, see the section The Pearl.