Turquoise
About Turquoise
One of the first gemstones ever mined - Sin ais turquoise mines in Egypt date back to 3000 BCE. The name comes from the French for Turkish, because it was brought to Europe via Turkey. The Native American Southwest has produced turquoise for 2,000+ years. Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona produced the most prized American turquoise before closing in 2012. It can change color when exposed to light, oils, and chemicals. Most commercial turquoise is stabilized or reconstituted. It is sacred to Tibetan, Native American, and Persian cultures. The mask of Tutankhamun features turquoise inlay. Iran produces the finest-quality turquoise.
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