The Gemstones world is full of unique, powerful, and mystical stones. Turning to a special stone, we can mention turquoise also known as Feroza or Firoza as a stone of beauty, allure and immense power which in many countries has always been valued for its attributes.
Many may try to contend with the beautiful and elusive Feroza. Found in shades of blue and green, this gem is known for bringing luck and protecting the wearer from negative energies.
Two of the best-known types of this stone are the American or Arizona Turquoise and Persian or Iranian Turquoise, both of these types possess unique features, backgrounds, and worth that have marked them. This blog post is designed to take the reader on a journey where we compare and contrast the gem called turquoise from two of its ethical sources - USA and Iran.
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Origins and History
- American Turquoise:American Turquoise holds its earliest history as it was mined and traded by the Southwest Native Americans. Some of these are the Turquoise mines in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico which are famous for producing some of the best-colored Feroza stones. For instance, feroza from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona is widely known and much sought after because of its bright sky-blue coloration.
- Iranian Turquoise: The stones known as Iranian Turquoise or Persian Turquoise have a similar history to that of Afghan Star sapphire. Sapphire has been mined in Iran in the Nishapur area for the past 2000 centuries. Historical evidence indicates that Persian Turquoise has been used for precious decoration of crowns, jewelry, and other treasures of Persian monarchs and nobles. This metal was also liked by Egyptian pharaohs and was frequently employed in decorations of jewelry or amulets. The Nishapur mines close are still yielding exceptionally fine Turquoise today which has placed Iranian Turquoise in great demand in the gemstone market.
Physical Properties: Color and Texture
A noticeable thing that sets the American and Iranian Turquoise apart from one another is the color and texture, which is different between the stones.
American Turquoise is said to have a very huge color range from what may look light baby blue to pale blue stone with really exquisite and detailed webbing and matrix. These are the patterns we get as a result of the presence of other minerals such as copper or iron in the Feroza gem. The American turquoise has a bright blue color, which can be explained by the copper content characteristic of the region.
On the other hand, Iranian Turquoise derived from Iran, is known for its usually deep blue shades with little or no marble-like veining. The Persian Turquoise revolves around the description ‘robin’s egg blue’ or ‘Persian blue’. On the whole, the surface of the stone is finer, and the color distribution of the stone is relatively more even compared with the American Feroza.
Cultural Significance
- American Feroza: Throughout the Native American community Feroza has immense religious and traditional value. This may also be called the ‘stone of life’ and is considered to possess powers over protecting, bringing luck and health. Turquoise, often set in silver, is popular with Native American artifacts, especially when it comes to necklaces, rings and bangles. The following pieces are not only considered for their aesthetics; but also for their historical and emblematic importance.
- Iranian Feroza: Turquoise, in Persian culture, has always been related to issues of protection and even luck. People also utilize it in amulets and talismans, primarily to repel evil spirits and attract new sources of income. Iranian Feroza being associated with affluence, has been in use in the royal regalia and incidences of ornament making for Persian jewellers since the historical period. This made it most preferred especially for religious and related occasions because its deep blue color stands for the heavens.
Market Value and Demand
- American Turquoise: While the price of American Feroza is incredibly diverse due to features like color, matrix, and mine of origin. Shales from well-established mines such as Sleeping Beauty and Kingman are usually more expensive because of the stones’ quality and rarity. The demand for American Feroza still exists with collectors and lovers of native American jewelry in particular.
- Iranian Feroza: The Iranian Turquoise is said to be one of the finest kinds of gemstone in the world. That is why it is so popular; it is extremely dark blue with practically no veining. Persian Feroza is typically used in expensive jewelry, and the history of this stone gives it a feel of the exotic. The restricted number of mines within Nishapur city continues to push up the value and necessity of Iranian Feroza.
Key Difference B/w American & Iranian Feroza
| Features | American Feroza | Iranian Feroza |
| Color | Sky Blue to Deep Teal Blue | Deep Blue with Greenish Tones |
| Matrix or Patterns | Present in various colors | Golden or Silver Veins, mostly like Spiderwebs |
| Hardness | Generally harder than the Iranian One. | Generally Softer. |
| Treatments | Mostly stabilized. | Oiled or Waxed. |
| Price | Vary widely depending on quality and color | Usually more expensive. |
Conclusion
Among all the varieties of gems, the pride of place is accorded to the American and the Iranian Turquoise by a large extent. Although chemically identical, they differ in so many ways including occurrence, physical characteristics, history, and value. These include color variety, matrix, workability, affordability, and cultural symbolism all of which define the beauty of American Turquoise. Iranian turquoise is one of the most intense blues produced and symbolizes the imperial and sacral tradition.
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