Types of Turquoise: A Complete Guide to Turquoise Varieties and Colors
Turquoise is one of the world’s most celebrated gemstones, admired for its vibrant shades of blue and green, its cultural heritage, and its use in fine jewelry. Across centuries, turquoise has been associated with protection, wisdom, and beauty. But not all turquoise is the same—its color, matrix, and origin can greatly influence its rarity and value.
In this article, we will explore the different types of turquoise, their varieties, colors, and characteristics, with a focus on both traditional and rare kinds. Whether you are a gemstone enthusiast, a collector, or simply curious about turquoise jewelry, this guide will help you understand the fascinating world of turquoise gemstones.
What Defines the Types of Turquoise?
Before diving into the list of turquoise varieties, it is important to know what makes each type unique. Several factors influence how we classify turquoise stones:
- Color: ranging from sky blue to deep green.
- Matrix pattern: the dark web-like or spotted inclusions often seen in turquoise.
- Origin: the geographic source, such as Iran, the U.S., Egypt, or China.
- Treatment: whether the stone is natural, stabilized, or enhanced.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), turquoise's blue-to-green color range comes primarily from trace copper (blue) versus iron and zinc (green); locality and mine data referenced in this guide draw on Mindat records.
Quick Comparison: Major Turquoise Types
| Type | Primary Origin | Typical Color | Matrix | Common Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persian (Nishapur) | Iran | Sky blue | Minimal to none | Usually untreated |
| Kerman | Iran | Blue to blue-green | Pyrite, variable | Often untreated |
| Sleeping Beauty | Arizona, USA | Uniform robin’s-egg blue | None | Untreated (mine closed) |
| Kingman | Arizona, USA | Blue with matrix | Black/brown web | Often stabilized |
| Bisbee | Arizona, USA | Deep blue | Chocolate-brown | Rare, high value |
| Carico Lake | Nevada, USA | Lime to apple green | Light, variable | Often untreated |
| Egyptian | Sinai, Egypt | Greenish-blue | Pronounced lines | Varies |
| Chinese (Hubei) | China | Pale blue to green | Black spiderweb | Frequently stabilized |
Note: color and matrix vary naturally within every deposit; this table reflects the most typical appearance of each type, not a guarantee for any individual stone.
Main Types of Turquoise Stones
1. Persian Turquoise (Iranian Turquoise)
Persian turquoise, especially from Nishapur in Iran, is considered the finest turquoise in the world. Known for its rich sky-blue color and minimal matrix, this type is highly valued and often used in luxury jewelry. Unlike many other deposits, Iranian turquoise is frequently untreated, which increases its desirability among collectors. Nishapur has been mined for over a thousand years and remains the international benchmark for the 'Persian blue' color that gemologists use to grade turquoise from every other source.
For a closer look at how this stone forms and how it is graded, see our complete guide to what Persian turquoise is.
2. Kerman Turquoise
Iran’s second turquoise source lies in the Shahr-e Babak district of Kerman Province, in the south-central part of the country. Unlike Nishapur, which is a dedicated turquoise mine, Kerman turquoise is recovered mainly as a byproduct of copper mining at the Meiduk open-pit mine, with a smaller amount coming from the nearby Chah Firouzeh deposit.
Because it forms alongside a large porphyry copper deposit, Kerman turquoise is often associated with pyrite and other copper-ore minerals, and its supply is less predictable than Nishapur’s. Color and matrix can vary more from batch to batch, which is why it plays a real but secondary role in Iran’s turquoise trade. Read our full guide to Kerman turquoise for details on its geology and how it compares to Nishapur material.
3. American Turquoise Varieties
The U.S. is home to several famous turquoise mines, each producing distinctive stones:
- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise (Arizona): prized for its pure robin’s egg blue without matrix.
- Kingman Turquoise (Arizona): known for its vibrant blue with a variety of black and brown matrix patterns.
- Bisbee Turquoise (Arizona): highly sought after for its deep blue shades and chocolate-brown matrix.
- Carico Lake Turquoise (Nevada): often greenish in tone, sometimes with unique lime-green shades.
These types of American turquoise are among the most collected worldwide.
4. Egyptian Turquoise
Egyptian turquoise has an ancient legacy, dating back to the time of the Pharaohs. Typically, it comes in greenish-blue hues with more pronounced matrix lines. While not as vivid as Persian turquoise, its historical significance makes it popular.
5. Chinese Turquoise
China has supplied turquoise for centuries, producing stones in a wide range of colors—from pale blue to rich green. Many Chinese turquoise stones are stabilized to enhance durability, which makes them affordable for everyday jewelry.
6. Rare and Collectible Types of Turquoise
Some turquoise varieties are considered rare and are especially valuable to collectors:
- Spiderweb Turquoise: features a fine web-like matrix pattern.
- Lander Blue Turquoise (Nevada): one of the rarest and most expensive kinds of turquoise, with a deep blue color and black spiderweb matrix.
- Number Eight Turquoise (Nevada): recognizable for its golden to reddish-brown matrix.
- Turquoise Mountain (Arizona): often found in both green and blue shades, with intricate webbing.
These rare types of turquoise can command very high prices depending on quality.
Types of Turquoise by Color
Blue Turquoise
The classic and most desirable color, often referred to as “Persian blue” or “robin’s egg blue.” High-quality types of blue turquoise are found in Iran, Arizona, and Nevada.
Green Turquoise
Ranging from soft mint to deep olive, types of green turquoise are often linked to higher iron content. Carico Lake and some Iranian deposits are famous for their green hues.
Mixed Shades and Matrix Patterns
Some stones display a mix of blue and green with bold matrix lines, making them unique. Collectors often look for stones with balanced color and appealing patterns.
Natural vs. Treated Turquoise Stones
When discussing different kinds of turquoise stones, it is essential to note that not all stones on the market are untreated. The main categories include:
- Natural Turquoise: untouched, with original color and matrix.
- Stabilized Turquoise: resin-treated for durability.
- Reconstituted Turquoise: made from turquoise powder, less valuable.
At Aragems, only 100% natural turquoise is used—without any treatments or enhancements—ensuring authenticity and quality.
Turquoise: Cultural and Global Value
From Native American jewelry to Persian royal adornments, turquoise has been revered across civilizations. Different cultures valued specific turquoise types and colors:
- Persians favored pure sky blue.
- Egyptians admired greenish turquoise.
- Native Americans used spiderweb turquoise in ceremonial jewelry.
These cultural associations also shape today’s market preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest type of turquoise?
Collectors generally consider Lander Blue turquoise from Nevada the rarest, since its source mine produced only a small amount of stone before closing. Among Iranian material, fine untreated Nishapur turquoise with little to no matrix is the most sought after.
Which type of turquoise is the most valuable?
Value depends on color, matrix, and whether the mine that produced it is still active. High-grade untreated Persian turquoise from Nishapur has historically set the top of the market; for a detailed breakdown of what drives price, see our guide to Persian turquoise price per carat.
How can I tell if a piece of turquoise is a real type or a fake?
Real turquoise typically shows natural, uneven matrix and color variation, while imitations such as dyed howlite or reconstituted ‘block’ turquoise often look unnaturally uniform. Our full guide to real vs fake turquoise walks through the tests gemologists use.
What is the difference between natural and stabilized turquoise?
Natural turquoise is unaltered from the ground; stabilized turquoise has been treated with a clear resin so that stones too porous for jewelry can be worn safely. Both are genuine turquoise — reconstituted or ‘block’ turquoise, by contrast, is a manufactured imitation with little or no real gemstone content.
Why do some types of turquoise turn green over time?
Long-term exposure to body oils, heat, and light can slowly shift the color of porous or treated turquoise. This is a natural property of the mineral rather than a sign of a fake stone, though heavily treated or reconstituted material tends to show the change more quickly.
Conclusion
Turquoise is not a single stone but a universe of shades, patterns, and origins. From the legendary Persian turquoise to the rare Lander Blue, the different types of turquoise each hold their own beauty and story. Whether you are drawn to the pure blue of Sleeping Beauty, the green tones of Carico Lake, or the historical charm of Egyptian turquoise, this gemstone offers endless variety.
For those seeking authenticity and natural beauty, Iranian turquoise remains the pinnacle choice, combining timeless elegance with cultural depth.