Is this real turquoise or a dyed substitute?

Material sold under the Turquoise name in this collection is hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate — the genuine mineral. The bead trade also sells dyed howlite and dyed magnesite under names like 'white turquoise' or 'turquenite,' which are not turquoise. Dyed quartz and reconstituted blocks also circulate.

What does 'stabilized' mean for turquoise, and is it expected?

Stabilization is the industry standard for most turquoise on the market. Raw turquoise is porous and often chalky; stabilization infuses the stone with a clear resin or polymer to harden it, lock in color, and make it workable as beads without crumbling at the drill hole. Stabilized turquoise is still turquoise — only the porosity is filled. Untreated natural turquoise exists but is uncommon in calibrated bead strands and priced accordingly. Composite or reconstituted material is a separate category and should be labeled as such.

How do origin and color vary across Dakota's turquoise?

Hubei (China) turquoise runs from sky blue to robin's-egg with brown or black matrix and is the most consistent in calibrated bead sizes. Arizona material (Sleeping Beauty type and Kingman type) tends toward clean blue with reddish-brown or no matrix. Nevada turquoise often shows green tones and spiderweb matrix. Persian turquoise is classic sky blue, sometimes with golden limonite matrix. Mexican turquoise varies widely.

How do I care for turquoise in finished jewelry?

Turquoise sits at 5–6 on Mohs and is chemically reactive — it absorbs oils, perfumes, lotions, sweat, and chlorinated water, which can turn blue stones green or dull the surface permanently. Stabilized strands tolerate handling better than untreated, but care is the same: wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. No ultrasonic, no steam, no bleach, no jewelry dips. Remove before swimming, the gym, hand-washing, and applying fragrance or sunscreen. Earrings and necklaces wear better long-term than rings or bracelets, which take more abrasion and skin contact.

What scale and cut works best for turquoise in design?

Small rounds (3–4mm) and microfaceted rounds read as classic accent strands and pair cleanly with sterling, gold-fill, coral, lapis, and pearl. Heishi and tyre cuts give the Southwest profile and stack well with sterling spacers. Pebble and nugget shapes show off matrix patterning and work for statement pieces where each bead reads individually. Cubes and rondelles bridge between geometric and organic looks. Because color and matrix vary across mines and even across one strand, designers stringing multi-strand or graduated pieces should buy enough material from a single order to keep the palette consistent.

Mohave Purple Turquoise 13x24mm Free Form Cabochon Pair

$47.00 - $47.00

$47.00

$47.00 - $47.00

$47.00

Mojave (or Mohave) Turquoise is a vibrant, stabilized, and processed gemstone created by fusing natural turquoise fragments with bronze or copper matrix, often resulting in bright colors like lime green, blue, purple, or orange. Primarily sourced from the Kingman Mine in Arizona, it is a composite stone designed for enhanced, bold color, featuring metallic veining and a high-polish finish.

Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, one of the first known to man. Known to Egyptian and Aztec cultures thousands of years ago, Turquoise is now mined all over the world. Turquoise is formed when water passes through aluminous rock where copper and other minerals are present. The deposits within the rock become Turquoise after a chemical reaction occurs over long periods of time. Natural Turquoise may be cut and polished, but will not be chemically treated or altered. Metaphysically, Turquoise is known for it's strength and protection attributes - dating back to ancient Egyptian amulets. It might also be considered to have deep personal meaning, neutralizing overacidity and stomach problems, increasing growth, and alleviating pain.

Sold by the pair. These cabochons are all unique and vary in colors and patterns.

The cabochons you received will not be exactly what is show in the image.

SKU CAB-TQS13x24-MO-PPL

Product Specifications

Stone type

Turquoise

Cut

Cabochon

Bead size

24mm

Drill style

Undrilled focal stone (bezel-set); some side-drilled or back-drilled

Mohs hardness

5–6

Mineral family

Turquoise

Typical origin

USA (Arizona)USA (Nevada)China (Hubei)Mexico

Care

Avoid ultrasonic, steam, bleach, and household cleaners. Soft damp cloth only. Remove before swimming, gym, perfume, hand-washing.

Frequently asked questions

Is this real turquoise or a dyed substitute?

Material sold under the Turquoise name in this collection is hydrated copper-aluminum phosphate — the genuine mineral. The bead trade also sells dyed howlite and dyed magnesite under names like 'white turquoise' or 'turquenite,' which are not turquoise. Dyed quartz and reconstituted blocks also circulate.
What does 'stabilized' mean for turquoise, and is it expected?

Stabilization is the industry standard for most turquoise on the market. Raw turquoise is porous and often chalky; stabilization infuses the stone with a clear resin or polymer to harden it, lock in color, and make it workable as beads without crumbling at the drill hole. Stabilized turquoise is still turquoise — only the porosity is filled. Untreated natural turquoise exists but is uncommon in calibrated bead strands and priced accordingly. Composite or reconstituted material is a separate category and should be labeled as such.
How do origin and color vary across Dakota's turquoise?

Hubei (China) turquoise runs from sky blue to robin's-egg with brown or black matrix and is the most consistent in calibrated bead sizes. Arizona material (Sleeping Beauty type and Kingman type) tends toward clean blue with reddish-brown or no matrix. Nevada turquoise often shows green tones and spiderweb matrix. Persian turquoise is classic sky blue, sometimes with golden limonite matrix. Mexican turquoise varies widely.
How do I care for turquoise in finished jewelry?

Turquoise sits at 5–6 on Mohs and is chemically reactive — it absorbs oils, perfumes, lotions, sweat, and chlorinated water, which can turn blue stones green or dull the surface permanently. Stabilized strands tolerate handling better than untreated, but care is the same: wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. No ultrasonic, no steam, no bleach, no jewelry dips. Remove before swimming, the gym, hand-washing, and applying fragrance or sunscreen. Earrings and necklaces wear better long-term than rings or bracelets, which take more abrasion and skin contact.
What scale and cut works best for turquoise in design?

Small rounds (3–4mm) and microfaceted rounds read as classic accent strands and pair cleanly with sterling, gold-fill, coral, lapis, and pearl. Heishi and tyre cuts give the Southwest profile and stack well with sterling spacers. Pebble and nugget shapes show off matrix patterning and work for statement pieces where each bead reads individually. Cubes and rondelles bridge between geometric and organic looks. Because color and matrix vary across mines and even across one strand, designers stringing multi-strand or graduated pieces should buy enough material from a single order to keep the palette consistent.