Introduction

Turquoise has been used in jewelry for thousands of years and remains one of the most recognizable blue gemstones. It’s bright blue and blue-green colors make it popular in everything from southwestern jewelry to modern handmade designs.

Because turquoise is so popular, it's also one of the most commonly imitated gemstones. Some pieces sold as turquoise may actually be dyed stones, plastic, resin, or reconstructed materials.

In this guide, we'll look at what real turquoise typically looks like, common imitations, and a few simple ways to spot the difference.

What Is Turquoise

Turquoise is a natural gemstone. It forms when acidic or copper rich ground water interacts with rocks that contain aluminum or phosphorus in a process taking millions of years..  Because turquoise is made up of so much copper it has a gorgeous blue to blue-green.  Turquoise is known for its dark black or brown webbing pattern, known as the matrix.  Turquoise is found in places such as the southwestern United States, China, Iran, and Mexico

Why is Turquoise so Popular

Turquoise has been prized for thousands of years and is considered one of the oldest gemstones used in jewelry. Archaeologists have found turquoise jewelry and decorative objects in ancient Egyptian tombs, and the stone has also been valued in Persian, Chinese, and Native American cultures throughout history.

One reason turquoise has remained popular for so long is its distinctive color. Few gemstones display the same bright blue and blue-green shades that make turquoise instantly recognizable. Depending on where it formed, turquoise can range from pale sky blue to deeper greenish-blue colors.

Turquoise is especially common in Southwestern and western-style jewelry, where it is often paired with silver and natural materials. However, it’s popularity extends far beyond those styles. Today, turquoise can be found in everything from traditional jewelry designs to modern handmade pieces, making it one of the most recognizable and sought-after gemstones in the world.

What are the different types of Turquoise

  The following are the types of turquoise that you will see.

• White Buffalo turquoise -   a rare, white variety of turquoise that is known for its pure white color and black or brown matrix.  Despite the name, this is technically not turquoise.  White Buffalo Turquoise is a combination of calcite, quartz, and alunite/dolomite.

• Sleeping Beauty turquoise - A pure vivid sky blue to medium sky blue variety of turquoise that typically has no matrix.

• Morenci turquoise -Variety of turquoise with pyrite (fool’s gold) giving it gold spots in it’s matrix.

• Kingman turquoise - Ranges from pale, robin’s-egg blue to deep royal blue, as well as earthy shades of green, yellow, and brown.  The matrix is dark black, white, or light brown  

• Royston turquoise - Famous for its vibrant color variations that span from deep forest green to bright sky blue, often fading between both in a single stone—it is characterized by its heavy, golden-brown matrix.

• Carico Lake turquoise - Famous for its striking color palette—ranging from sky blues to electric spring greens—it is highly valued for its natural hardness, unique zinc-driven matrix, and fascinating fossilized clam inclusions.

• Bisbee turquoise - Renowned for its vibrant, deep blue hues and distinct chocolate-brown or "smoky" webbed matrix, it remains one of the most collectible types of turquoise in the world.

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What Does Real Turquoise Look Like?

Color

Real turquoise can vary quite a bit. Turquoise is best known for its blue color, but genuine turquoise naturally occurs in several shades. Depending on where it formed and its mineral content, it may appear sky blue, robin's egg blue, blue-green, or even green. No two pieces look exactly alike, and natural color variation is completely normal.

Common colors include:

• Sky blue

• Robin's egg blue

• Blue-green

• Greenish blue

• Even white

Natural turquoise is rarely identical from piece to piece.

Matrix Patterns

Many turquoise stones contain dark veins or web-like patterns known as matrix.

Matrix may appear:

• Brown

• Black

• Golden brown

Not all turquoise has a matrix, but it is common.

While matrices are common, some highly prized turquoise—such as Sleeping Beauty turquoise—may have very little or no visible matrix at all. A lack of matrix doesn't automatically mean a stone is fake.

Natural Variation

Real turquoise often contains:

• Color variation

• Uneven patterns

• Small imperfections

• Opaque

Perfectly identical stones can sometimes be a warning sign.

Common Fake Turquoise Materials

Dyed Howlite

This is probably the most common turquoise substitute.

Howlite is naturally white with gray veining.

Manufacturers often dye it bright blue and sell it as turquoise because it looks similar and costs much less.

Dyed Magnesite

Magnesite gets sold as turquoise quite often.

Magnesite is a white mineral,, takes dye well, and has a similar appearance after coloring.   However as opposed to dyed howlite, dyed magnesite is often sold as turquoise beads.

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Reconstituted Turquoise

This material is made from crushed turquoise mixed with dyes and binders before being shaped into beads or cabochons.

Technically it contains turquoise, but it is not the same as a solid natural stone.

Many sellers clearly label it, but not all do.

Plastic and Resin

Some imitation turquoise is made entirely from plastic or resin.

Possible clues that it’s fake:

• Extremely lightweight

• Perfectly uniform appearance

• No natural variation

• Artificial-looking shine

• feel warmer than stone

• scratch more easily

• sometimes have tiny mold seams

• have bubbles trapped inside

Tips for Buying Turquoise Jewelry

Some ideas:

• Ask what material is being used.

• Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true.

• Look for multiple photos.

• Read product descriptions carefully.

• Buy from sellers who clearly disclose treatments.

Simple Signs Your Turquoise May Be Genuine

Look for:

• Natural color variation

• Slight imperfections

• Unique patterns

• Variations from bead to bead

• Honest material descriptions

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FAQ Questions

How Durable Is Turquoise?

On the mohs hardness scale Turquoise falls at about 5-6.  Making it the softest stone that we have talked about (Amethyst, Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz) so far.  All the other ones that we have talked about so far have been varieties of quartz which fall at about a 7.  

Because turquoise is softer than quartz, jewelry that receives less daily impact, such as pendants or earrings may show less wear over time. Turquoise bracelets and rings are still very popular, but they may require a little more care.

It can be a fine bracelet, you just have to be careful of how you clean it, store it, and how rough you are with it to keep it from getting scuffed or scratched.  If you would like more information about best practices with all of that, click here.

Can You Tell if Turquoise Is Real With a Scratch Test?

You may see advice online suggesting scratch tests, hot needle tests, or chemical tests. These can permanently damage jewelry and are not recommended. Instead, look at the stone's color, matrix, natural variation, and whether the seller clearly describes the material.

Can Real Turquoise Be Green?

Yes. While bright blue turquoise is often the most recognizable, genuine turquoise can naturally range from sky blue to blue-green and even shades of green. The exact color depends largely on the minerals present as the stone forms.

Turquoise with a higher copper content is typically a brighter blue, while higher amounts of iron can give the stone a greener appearance. Because of this, two genuine pieces of turquoise can look very different even if they came from the same mine.

Green turquoise is just as real as blue turquoise, and many collectors appreciate the wide range of natural colors that the gemstone can display.

Can Real Turquoise Be Treated?

Yes.

Many turquoise stones are stabilized.

Stabilization strengthens softer turquoise and helps improve durability for jewelry.

Stabilized turquoise is still genuine turquoise.

This is different from plastic imitations or dyed stones being sold as turquoise.

Should You Worry About Matrix?

No.

Many people assume matrix means a stone is fake, but the opposite is often true.

Natural matrix is common in genuine turquoise and can actually help identify it.

The presence or absence of matrix alone does not determine authenticity.

Final Thoughts

Turquoise is one of the most frequently imitated gemstones, but many fake versions become easier to spot once you know what to look for. Natural color variation, unique patterns, and realistic imperfections are often signs of genuine turquoise, while perfectly uniform colors and overly consistent patterns may suggest an imitation.

It's also important to remember that not every treated turquoise is fake. Stabilized turquoise is still genuine turquoise and is widely used in jewelry because it is more durable. Understanding the difference between natural turquoise, stabilized turquoise, and imitation materials can help you make more informed purchasing decisions.

Whether you're shopping for turquoise jewelry or simply trying to identify a stone you already own, learning these basic differences can help you make a more informed purchase.

If you would like to learn more about crystal authenticity in general, click here.