Not All Turquoise Is Turquoise

Turquoise is one of the most instantly recognisable and beloved gemstones in the world. For many of us, the word itself brings to mind a clear blue‑green stone, often set in silver and associated with ancient cultures, protection, and timeless beauty.

But here’s the truth: not everything sold as turquoise is actually turquoise — and real turquoise doesn’t always look the way people expect it to.

In this post, we’ll explore two important ideas. First, why so much “turquoise” on the market isn’t Turquoise at all. And second, the surprisingly wide range of colours that genuine turquoise can naturally display.

Bandit's Mine in Arizona produces Turquoise which represents what most people will recognise as what they would expect to see in a Turquoise Gemstone.

1. Why So Much “Turquoise” Isn’t Actually Turquoise

Turquoise is a finite, relatively soft gemstone and high‑quality natural material has become increasingly rare.  Over human history Turquoise has been mined, collected and used for many decorative purposes. Mining techniques can be dangerous and challenging especially as discovery of natural Turquoise becomes more unlikely due to its historic significance. However,  demand has continued to grow.  As demand has grown — especially in fashion jewellery — so have alternatives and imitations.

That doesn’t always mean deception, but it does mean buyers should understand what they’re seeing.

Dyed Stones

One of the most common substitutes is to use other cheaper gemstone which have been dyed, often:

•        Howlite 
•      Magnesite 
•        Chalk stone 

These materials are naturally white or pale grey and are easily dyed to mimic real Turquoise’s blue‑green tones. When dyed, they can look convincing at first glance, especially when polished and set into jewellery.   The beads in this bracelet are Natural White Howlite and Dyed Howlite Beads.

Clues that a stone may be dyed include:

• Colour pooling in cracks or drill holes 
• An unnaturally uniform, flat colour 
• Dye rubbing off or fading over time 

While dyed stones can be attractive and affordable, they are not Turquoise Gemstone. They may be described as turquoise due to the colour they present and this means some are sold under that name. This Sterling Silver pendant features a Howlite Gemstone which has been dyed to look like a Turquoise Gemstone.

Composite or Reconstituted “Turquoise”

Another common category is composite turquoise (sometimes called reconstituted or block turquoise).

This material is made by:

•       Grinding small fragments or turquoise dust 
•       Mixing them with resin or epoxy 
•       Pressing the mixture into blocks that can be cut into stones 

Composite turquoise may contain some real turquoise, but it is not a natural gemstone in the traditional sense. The resin content makes it harder, more uniform, and more vibrant than most natural turquoise.

It’s often used because:

• It’s durable 
• It’s consistent in colour 
• It makes use of waste material 

Again, this doesn’t make it bad, but it is important that it’s described honestly.

This ring was created using a Mojave Turquoise cabochon.  Mojave (pronounced Mohave) is created from Turquoise mined from the Kingman Turquoise mine in Kingman, Arizona, United States, the only location worldwide where Mojave is created!  This stone was created by mixing copper with turquoise gemstone chips and a resin to stabilise.

Some Mojave is also dyed to produce vibrant colours.  Purple Copper Mojave is particularly popular for its beautiful appearance and unique patterns.  Whilst not natural in colour, Mojave is natural Turquoise enhanced to create this interesting variation.

Stabilised Turquoise

Stabilised turquoise sits in a more nuanced space.

Natural turquoise is porous and can be soft, which makes it vulnerable to:

• Cracking 
• Colour change 
• Damage from oils and cosmetics 

To address this, some turquoise is stabilised with resin to improve durability. The stone remains natural turquoise, but it has been treated to make it wearable for everyday jewellery.  Stabilisation is widely accepted in the jewellery world — but it should still be understood by buyers.

This pendant features pieces of spiny oyster shell and turquoise compressed together and stabilised with jewellers’ epoxy, or resin, to create this attractive composite gemstone.

Why This Matters

Understanding what you’re buying allows you to:

•       Make informed choices 
•        Compare prices fairly 
•       Appreciate the material for what it truly is 

Transparency builds trust, and every stone — natural, treated, or alternative — deserves to be valued honestly. 

2. Real Turquoise Isn’t Just “Turquoise” Coloured

One of the biggest misconceptions about turquoise is that it must be a specific bright blue‑green colour.

In reality, turquoise occurs in a remarkable range of hues, influenced by its mineral content and the environment in which it formed.

Blue Turquoise

Classic sky‑blue turquoise is typically high in copper and low in iron. This colour is often associated with famous historic sources and is highly sought after, but it is only one expression of the stone.

Green Turquoise

As iron content increases, turquoise shifts toward green. These stones can range from:

•       Soft mint green 
•       Mossy green 
•       Deep, earthy olive tones
•       Beige and brown tones

Green turquoise is completely natural and historically valued, particularly in many Indigenous and ancient cultures. This Cabochon is Bamboo Mountain Turquoise, which is known for its green, orange and brown colourways.

Blue‑Green and Teal Shades

Many natural turquoise stones sit somewhere between blue and green, creating complex teal or sea‑coloured tones that change depending on the light. These stones often show the greatest depth and individuality.

Matrix Patterns and Colour Variation

Real turquoise rarely has a flat, uniform colour. Instead, it often contains matrix which is elements of the host rock in which it formed.

Matrix can appear as:

• Spiderweb patterns 
• Veins 
•  Speckles or patches 

Gobi Desert Turquoise is a unique and rare gemstone found only in the Gobi Desert from the outer reaches of Southern Mongolia. Gobi Desert Turquoise is distinct in its pale colouration of powder blue and sandy hues.  It is known for its prominent speckled and patchy presentation.

Colours within a single stone may subtly shift, making each piece truly one of a kind.

Why Uniform Colour Can Be a Red Flag

Ironically, the more “perfect” a turquoise stone looks, the more likely it is to be:

•     Dyed 
•      Composite 
•      Heavily treated 

Natural turquoise embraces variation — and that variation is part of its beauty.

Appreciating Turquoise for What It Truly Is

Turquoise has been cherished for thousands of years not because it was flawless, but because it was alive with character, shaped by the earth, chemistry, and time.

Whether a stone is

• Natural and untreated 
• Stabilised for wearability 
• Or an honest alternative material 

What matters most is truth, intention, and appreciation.  This is why at Breathe Jewellery UK you will see that all of our product listings give the true description of the Gemstones used, often including the origins of the stones, even the mine it was found in. 

When we understand turquoise beyond the surface, beyond the single colour we expect, we begin to see why it has remained one of the world’s most enduring and meaningful gemstones.  It’s increasing scarcity has earned it the reputation of ‘blue gold’.

Kingman Turquoise                                    Mexican Turquoise   Number 8 Turquoise