African Turquoise Knotted Beaded Necklace | 8 mm

African Turquoise Knotted Beaded Necklace from China

Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue to blue-green phosphate mineral that has been valued as a gemstone for thousands of years. The colour results from the presence of copper, while iron sometimes causes a greener hue. Turquoise often occurs with dark matrix lines of surrounding rock, giving it a distinctive appearance. The stone was named after the Turkish trade routes through which it was introduced to Europe.

Major deposits of turquoise are Iran, the United States (especially Arizona and Nevada), China and Egypt. The mineral forms in dry, desert areas as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. Its chemical formula is CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈-4H₂O. Turquoise has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale.

Sources:
Mindat.org, Gemdat.org, Wikipedia - Turquoise

Our necklaces are available in various designs, including faceted, ball, split and knotted necklaces. Currently, all necklaces in our range are 45 cm long, which corresponds to a standard wearing length for most neck sizes. The beads or slivers used vary in shape and finish, giving each necklace a unique character.

The bead size varies depending on the type of chain, from around 4 mm in finer models to around 8 mm in the somewhat coarser versions. For split necklaces, uneven pieces of stone are used, with the split used varying from 5 to 10 mm, giving a natural look. Knotted necklaces feature a knot between the beads, which is not only decorative but also contributes to the strength of the jewellery.

Keep in mind that not every variety is available in all designs or bead sizes.