Turquoise is a sacred crystal that is amongst the most ancient to be utilised by human beings. In fact, it was the first crystal ever to be mined by a civilisation!
This mining practice originated in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula around 6000 BC. The Egyptians ritualistically buried the dead with a turquoise stone while the spiritual significance of its gentle low-humming vibration was also recognised in Iran and Persia, as well as amongst ancient Aztec societies.
It’s long been revered, and today, turquoise crystal is as popular as ever. You’ll find it loose, cutinot shapes, and in jewelry.
If you want to learn more about this gemstone, we’ve covered everything you need to know in this handy guide.
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- What is a Turquoise Crystal?
- What is the Meaning of Turquoise Crystal?
- Benefits and Healing Properties of Turquoise Crystal
- Where to buy Turquoise online?
- Which Chakra is Turquoise Good for?
- How to Use Turquoise Crystal?
- How to Care for and Cleanse Turquoise Crystal?
- How Can You Tell Real Turquoise From Fake?
- What is the Most Valuable Turquoise?
- How Much is Turquoise Worth?
What is a Turquoise Crystal?
The deep blue hues of the turquoise crystal call upon the powerful yet infinitely gentle energy of the ocean and the most expansive skies. It symbolises wisdom, prosperity, tranquillity, and protection. In plainer and more scientific terms, the turquoise crystal is a hydrous phosphate of aluminium and copper.
What is the Meaning of Turquoise Crystal?
The root of the name ‘turquoise’ has its roots in old French. Translated it means ‘Turkish’ and the general consensus is that this is a nod to its rich history in Persia. The turquoise gemstone is recognised internationally as a traditional 11th anniversary gift while also being one of the three December birthstones.
Benefits and Healing Properties of Turquoise Crystal
If the turquoise gemstone has a resume of its various healing properties, it would be long enough to roll out the door. A powerful and popular testimony to this incredible crystal is that it is ‘life affirming’.
While it is a stone that heals holistically, individuals over the years have noted that it is particularly effective when it comes to matters of the heart and the mind. When its soothing energy is welcomed without resistance, turquoise promotes sensations of serenity. This deeply peaceful state allows you to process your troubles and ultimately feel more connected to your true self and the spiritual plane.
On a physical level, the turquoise stone is highly effective at relieving throat-related ailments as it works closely with the throat chakra. This also applies to conditions that are not necessarily directly throat-related but pass through the general area. Examples include but are not limited to, respiratory issues, migraines, and allergies.
Where to buy Turquoise online?
There are plenty of places to buy this gem online. From specialty online shops to online giants like Amazon.
Our recommendation is to browse Amazon first to get a sense of prices, variety, and quality. Then do a detailed comparison online. Another specialty retailer is TinyRituals, which only sells gemstones of grade AA or higher.
Which Chakra is Turquoise Good for?
The exquisite blue of this stone reminds you of sunrise over an ocean horizon or a deep flowing river. This energy opens your throat chakra, otherwise known as the fifth chakra or the Vishuddha chakra.
By opening your throat chakra, you are more empowered to connect with and voice your truth while simultaneously silencing those dreaded and unproductive self-criticisms that circulate in your mind from time to time. Furthermore, allowing for a continuous flow of energy through this channel stimulates divine creative inspiration and spiritual expression.
How to Use Turquoise Crystal?
The turquoise stone is highly aesthetic and thus lends itself to a wide range of applications. If you wish to keep it close as a gentle guiding light that inspires self-care and self-confidence then we would recommend wearing it as a pendant or some form of necklace. This allows the gemstone to remain close to the throat chakra, thus maximising the energy exchange that occurs between yourself and your turquoise gemstone.
We would highly recommend keeping some turquoise stones in your home in order to let its lullaby-like energy flow into every corner of your space.
Place it in your office to attract prosperity and wealth. If you are seeking a remedy to chronic insomnia, place a turquoise stone under your pillow in the evenings.
If there has recently been some conflict or tension in your household then you should keep some turquoise in communal areas. This facilitates constructive and calm communication.
How to Care for and Cleanse Turquoise Crystal?
Cleansing your crystals is a meditative and therapeutic practice that preserves the intended power of the individual stones. It clears away the negative energies that your crystal has absorbed – either passively or in moments of intentional energetic work.
You could place your turquoise crystal outside on the night of the full moon or perhaps even bury it in the soil over this sacred time. Remember to mark where you have buried your stones so that you can recover them.
Placing a crystal in the soil over the full moon is particularly effective as the stone will be cleansed by both the moon and the earth. You could also use a smudge stick to cleanse your turquoise gemstone in a meditation practice.
How Can You Tell Real Turquoise From Fake?
A genuine turquoise stone is relatively soft but its fake counterpart, howlite, is even softer. If you gently scratch the stone with your nail and it leaves a noticeable mark then it is likely howlite.
If, however, you scratch the crystal and it remains unmarked then you can assume with some certainty that it is genuine turquoise. If you intend to use turquoise for healing purposes and not merely aesthetics, then it is greatly important to source a genuine crystal and not a fake.
What is the Most Valuable Turquoise?
Turquoise comes in a variety of shades of blue gemstone – each of which is valued slightly differently. The variety that is considered to be the most valuable today is those that are a deep medium-blue and evenly colored.
Amongst the crystal communities this highly sought-after stone is commonly referred to as ‘sky blue’ or ‘robin’s egg blue’. You might also hear it being referred to as ‘Persian blue’. While this does not mean that the stone has necessarily been mined in Iran, it is a reference to the Nishapur district of Iran – the most ancient source of this color.
How Much is Turquoise Worth?
The value of the turquoise crystal is a somewhat debated issue. There are many factors that come into play when determining the monetary worth of a stone. Factors such as color and place of origin distinguish the cheaper varieties from the most high-end. The typical price range of a turquoise gemstone is between $1 and $10 per carat.
In extreme cases, this range has been known to expand from $0.5 to $1000 per carat – although the top end of this spectrum is naturally an exceptional case.
Turquoise gemstones have been and are still a wonderful addition to any crystal collection. Whether you have a small, loose stone or jewelry inlaid with it, it brings a certain richness to your life.
Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.
Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.