Natural turquoise is a rare hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum  prized for thousands of years for its distinct blue-to-green hues. Highly prized in jewelry, raw turquoise ranges from soft sky blue to deep yellowish-green depending on its iron and copper content.

Key Characteristics

• Color Dynamics: Copper produces bright blues; iron shifts the shade toward green and teal.

• Matrix: Veins or webbed patterns of host rock (such as limonite or sandstone) often weave through the stone, giving each specimen unique visual character.

• Porosity: Pure, untreated natural turquoise is relatively soft (Mohs hardness 5–6) and porous, meaning it can absorb skin oils and alter color over time.

Market Categories

• Natural Untreated: Direct from the mine—cut, shaped, and polished with zero chemical additives or resins. Accounts for less than 5% of the market.

• Stabilized: Treated under pressure with epoxy or clear acrylics to fill pores, boosting hardness and preserving color for everyday wear.

• Reconstituted/Block: Made from pulverized turquoise dust bound together with resin and synthetic dyes.