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Strands of Turquoise Gemstone Beads
Turquoise is hydrated copper aluminum phosphate, a hydrated phosphate mineral in the triclinic crystal system occurring as secondary deposits in arid environments. Turquoise crystals are known but rare, with turquoise most frequently occurring in massive, microcrystalline form as encrustations, nodules and veinlets deposited from groundwater circulating through altered and weathered igneous rocks bearing apatite, feldspar and copper minerals such as chalcopyrite, malachite and azurite. Turquoise can vary in color from sky-blue to green depending on the amount of copper and the iron impurities present. Turquoise is highly prized as a gemstone in many cultures and was one of the first gemstones to be mined. Turquoise beads dating from 5000 BC have been recovered from Mesopotamian archeological sites in present day Iraq. Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs are known to have operated turquoise mines in the Sinai Peninsula utilizing thousands of laborers.
Turquoise is highly regarded in many Native American cultures. Native Americans are known to have worked turquoise deposits in the southwestern United States since at least 1000 AD to obtain material fashioned into fetishes and other symbolic objects, used as beads and ornamentation and also in trade. Aztec craftsmen had elevated turquoise work to a fine art long before the Conquistadors arrived in North America. Turquoise carvings, inlaid masks, skulls, beads and other ceremonial and decorative objects have been recovered from Aztec ruins and graves dating over a thousand years in age. Persia is the most renowned turquoise locality of antiquity. Modern turquoise localities include Africa, Australia, Chile, China, Mexico, Iran, Tibet, and the United States.
Turquoise is most commonly presented in jewelry as cabochons, beads and carvings. Turquoise is a relatively soft material (5-6 Mhos hardness) vulnerable to scratching. Turquoise is commonly employed as a gemstone in all types of jewelry including rings and bracelets despite its relative softness. Natural turquoise is a porous material that can absorb body oil when worn next to the skin, causing a change in color from blue to green. Perfume, sunscreen, hairspray and other cosmetics may attack the surface and alter the color of turquoise gems, and so should be applied before turquoise jewelry is donned. Porous turquoise is commonly treated and stabilized with sodium silicate or polymer resins to increase its mechanical strength, resistance to color change and its ability to take a polish. Turquoise is particularly vulnerable to solvents and heat and may even be dehydrated and discolored by excessive exposure to sunlight. Turquoise should be stored apart from harder gemstones which can scratch it. It is safest to clean Turquoise using warm water, mild soap and a cloth or soft brush. Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner and keep Turquoises out of contact with excessive heat, acids, ammonia and other chemical or abrasive cleaners.
| BeadStrand27 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 10mm Round - $14.65 |
| Limited Stock: 2 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 10mm diameter.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 38 beads. Average strand weight approximately 63 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These turquoise rounds have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their robin egg blue color.
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| BeadStrand28 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 12mm Round - $17.65 |
| Limited Stock: 6 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 12mm diameter.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 33 beads. Average strand weight approximately 90 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These turquoise rounds have attractive reddish-brown to black colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their robin egg blue color.
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| BeadStrand30 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 5mm Chips - $6.65 |
| Limited Stock: 2 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 5mm average length.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 160 beads. Average strand weight approximately 14 grams. Treatments: Unknown These turqoise chips range in maximum dimension from approximately 3mm to 7mm. There is just about every color of turquoise in these strands, but the overall color is a rich blue.
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| BeadStrand31 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads - $9.85 |
| Limited Stock: 4 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 8mm average length.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 110 beads. Average strand weight approximately 22 grams. Treatments: Unknown These turqoise chips range in length from approximately 6mm to 12mm with an average length in the neighborhood of 8mm. The overall color of these turquoise chips is an eye pleasing robin's egg blue.
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| BeadStrand116 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 18mm Rectangle - $23.45 |
| Limited Stock: 4 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 18mm long x 13mm wide x 6mm thick.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 22 beads. Average strand weight approximately 61 grams. Locality: Africa These blue-green turquoise rectangles are cut from some appealing variegated African material with brown-black matrix markings. Unique material!
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| BeadStrand119 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 28mm Rice - $34.45 |
| Limited Stock: 5 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 28mm long x 18mm diameter.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 15 beads. Average strand weight approximately 182 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These jumbo sized turquoise rice beads have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their sky blue color.
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| BeadStrand120 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 14mm Rondelle - $34.45 |
| Limited Stock: 10 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 14mm diameter x 9mm thick.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 46 beads. Average strand weight approximately 126 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These large turquoise rondelle beads have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their robin egg blue color.
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| BeadStrand121 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 18mm Oval - $21.65 |
| Limited Stock: 10 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 18mm long x 13mm wide x 8mm thick.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 23 beads. Average strand weight approximately 63 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These turquoise oval beads have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their sky blue color.
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| BeadStrand122 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 30mm Oval - $34.45 |
| Limited Stock: 5 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 30mm long x 20mm wide x 9mm thick.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 14 beads. Average strand weight approximately 117 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These large turquoise oval beads have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their robin egg blue color.
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| BeadStrand123 - Turquoise Gemstone Beads 20mm Oval - $27.65 |
| Limited Stock: 8 Strands Available |
Approximate Size: 20mm long x 15mm wide x 6.5mm thick.
Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details.
Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 21 beads. Average strand weight approximately 57 grams. Locality: China Treatments: Stabilized These turquoise oval beads have attractive reddish-brown colored spiderweb markings contrasting with their robin egg blue color.
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