A Heat Treatment of Turquoise

When you think of turquoise visions of the southwest and indian designs come to mind; the beautiful colors range from the robin eggs blue, sky blue, deep shades of blue to lime green and deep shades of green, all with matrix veining of black to brown and in-between. Turquoise is too soft by nature and must be stabilized or treated to keep that beauty. Another problem of untreated turquoise is that the color and sheen fade over time. Though initially, the natural stone may be a brilliant sky blue or blue-green, colors will fade to duller greens or blues eventually.

One of the processes is called heating to achieve the more desirable colors; though this does not change the character of the stone and it is usually considered an acceptable standard process in the lapidary and jewelry industry.

These turquoise stones have been heat treated to achieve the brown color from deep to medium and bring out the matrix veining. Each design has been created with a different flavor…..

First, a twist of traditional turquoise, Arizona ivoryite and a splash of Swarovski faceted rondelle blush crystals and a focal pendant in Brazilian Oco; hand wire wrapped in non-tarnish rose colored wire.

Second, a more traditional turquoise design with southwestern lampwork beads, Swarovski faceted bicone turquoise crystals and faceted rectangular yellow citrine stones.

Different designs but still using the natural stone of turquoise that has been heat treated; in this case to bring out a natural soft brown color.

Browse our collections of artisan crafted jewelry featuring unique stones, minerals and fossils!