SIZE: Assorted (Small, 4-5mm)
STONE: Mexican Turquoise (Natural)
SHAPE: Freeform, Chip, Nugget
PACKAGE: 100 Beads (Loose)

   TURQUOISE: is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized for thousands of years because of its unique color. Historically, this gemstone has been known by many names, but the term "Turquoise" is thought to be a derivative of either the 16th century French word "turquois", meaning "Turkish" or "pierre turquin" meaning "dark blue stone". Turquoise is a relatively soft stone with colors ranging from white to powder blue and sky blue as well as various shades of green. Its color depends on its mineral properties --- blue being attributed to the copper content while green is the result of either iron or dehydration.

Mexican Turquoise is very similar in color to the famed Sleeping Beauty Turquoise of US, Arizona. It can be found in various shades of blue and green with dark, sometimes black matrix. Turquoise deposits in Mexico are very unique in that the mineral forms as nuggets in clay material, rather than in rock veins. North-central Mexico has been exporting Turquoise since the mid-1980s, but its significance, use and trade among its indigenous people has been dated back as far as 300 A.D.. Among the Aztecs, Turquoise was believed to be a sacred stone, reserved only for the gods and never to be worn by mere mortals.

Turquoise is thought to attract prosperity and success, influence creativity, and enhance communication skills. The stone has long been prized as a powerful talisman with healing properties. It is said that Turquoise can help balance the throat chakra, bolster the immune system and give relief to sore throats, lung infections and allergies.