What is Sleeping Beauty Turquoise?
Have you ever witnessed the endless optimism of a cloudless Southwestern sky? When holding a Sleeping Beauty Turquoise jewel in your hand, this dream is possible. For decades, designers and collectors alike have treasured the sky blue hue of this stone. This stone enjoyed a revival in the 1970s thanks to Italian jewelers, which stayed strong for over 40 years. However, with a mine no longer actively producing this unique turquoise, supply dwindles by the day.
Determining Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Value
Is Sleeping Beauty Turquoise valuable? The value of colored stones is typically determined by a combination of its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. This is no different when determining what turquoise is worth. These guidelines will help you choose stones for your collection.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Color
The gem is known for its medium sky-blue hue. It's a classic color, and for many, represents the ideal turquoise color. Romantics say the color of this stone reflects the wide-open skies of the American Southwest on a clear day. Collectors and connoisseurs prefer Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for its even body color, and to this day, it draws comparisons to classic Persian Turquoise.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Clarity
Finished stones should display a smooth glossy finish, with limited or no veining. Collectors prefer stones without any matrix, and these specimens are considered more valuable. However, finding them can be rare due to the scarcity of the stone. These days, small amounts of matrix occur in some gems, and they are considered to be lower quality.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Cut
Cabochons and beads are the most common shapes for Turquoise stones. Popular forms for sleeping beauty turquoise jewelry include rounds, ovals, and pears, but all find representation. Beads over eight millimeters are rare due to larger specimens not being readily available.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Carat
Smaller stones are more common. Since active mining no longer occurs, bigger examples have practically disappeared. Sizes under a carat are common, but turquoise jewels up to eight carats are possible. Due to market scarcity, there is a higher cost for larger stones, still if you're willing to get these precious stones, visit here for clearance jewelry turquoise.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Treatment
Some specimens of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise may undergo treatment through the Zachary Process. This treatment improves the stability of the stone and improves its appearance. It does not change the properties of the stone. It is a stable treatment and requires no special care.
Caring for Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Turquoise gems rank from five to six on the Mohs scale of hardness. With fair to good toughness, this stone is excellent for daily wear in a variety of turquoise jewelry styles.
Avoid exposing this stone to high heat and household chemicals, which can cause discoloration or permanent damage. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not safe to use with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.
Who Can Wear Sleeping Beauty Turquoise?
Turquoise jewelry has been around for centuries. During this time, styles have run the gamut, and designers have been exploring many spaces with this stone.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise jewelry favors simple designs that emphasize the natural beauty of the gem. Turquoise solitaire rings remain a favorite, but cluster designs have been gaining popularity with the decline of larger stones. These trends carry over to other jewelry types, like pendants.
Southwest-inspired designs remain popular, and many styles favor a vintage revival. Stones complementing intricate silver work are also popular, as seen in Shop LC brands like Bali Legacy Collection.
How Does Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Compare to Other Turquoise Stones?
We know and appreciate many types of turquoise for their unique matrix, but not Sleeping Beauty turquoise! Instead, this stone stands apart from other varieties due to its lack of matrix. In addition, many prefer stones with a medium sky-blue hue.
With the modern scarcity of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, many collectors have been turning to Kingman Turquoise. The stone shows a limited matrix and a similar color. With an actively producing mine, it's expected to fill the space Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is leaving behind.
Where is Sleeping Beauty Turquoise mined?
The United States and China are the two largest suppliers of turquoise today. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty Turquoise mine near Globe, Arizona.
Since the early 1970s, this mine was a major producer of turquoise. Artisans and jewelry companies love Arizona Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for its lack of matrix and reliable even color.
However, turquoise mining operations ceased in 2012. This mine is still active and currently produces copper. There are currently no plans to mine new turquoise. Each year, the current supply shrinks as a hungry market continues purchasing this stone.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Properties
What Does Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Mean?
For centuries turquoise has been a stone that represents health, luck, and protection from evil.
In the American Southwest, many tribes of Native Americans have traditionally used turquoise for trade. However, many of these tribes also hold turquoise in high esteem for spiritual purposes.
To some, turquoise is an "eye stone," and is thought to improve or sharpen vision or treat ailments of the eye. Apaches would traditionally attach turquoise talismans to firearms or bows, believing it makes the weapon more accurate.
For informational purposes only. These remedies, approaches, and techniques are not a substitute for professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat any ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
Is Sleeping Beauty Turquoise a Birthstone?
Turquoise is one of three modern December birthstones. Many prefer this stone for December birthstone jewelry due to its even color and opaque nature.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Facts
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
- The preferred color of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is a medium sky blue hue.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty Mine near Globe, Arizona.
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise may undergo treatment by the Zachary Process.
- The chemical formula for turquoise is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 • 4h2O.