Turquoise meaning and properties
Turquoise is the traveler’s stone in the traditions: it was said to guard against falls, especially from a horse.
- Protection
- Speech
- Travel
Turquoise at a glance
For you, a blue-green to keep on you as a reminder to move forward carefully, and to say what you have to say.
Which trip or which time of speaking would you like to approach with more serenity?
Very often imitated: always ask for the exact name.
- Color
- blue, green
- Associated intentions
- protection, communication
- Birthstone
- December (1912 list)
- Type
- mineral
What it evokes
Modern crystal guides associate turquoise with protection and communication: it is said to be worn as a ring or necklace as a reminder of safety and candor.
According to Kunz, this idea goes far back: as early as the 13th century, it was claimed that the owner of a turquoise set in gold would not be hurt in a fall, on horseback or on foot; in the 14th century, it was tied to horses’ bridles. Pliny, for his part, probably describes a neighboring stone under the name callais.
Nowadays it serves as a marker: a piece of jewelry to touch before a trip or before speaking.
The traditions
- Rome, 1st century
Pliny describes the callais, a pale green, close to topaz in appearance more than in price, which is brought down by sling shots from icy rocks, beyond India and in Carmania. The finest have the color of emerald. Kunz identifies it with turquoise; this link remains debated.
Pliny the Elder, Natural History, XXXVII, 33 (Littré’s French translation) - 13th century, Volmar
Kunz places in the 13th century, in Volmar’s Steinbuch, the earliest mention of the belief that turquoise, set in gold, would spare the limbs of one who falls, on horseback or on foot. He sees in it perhaps the echo of a horse amulet, a hypothesis he gives as a conjecture.
Gutenberg 57978, Kunz 1913, chap. “Turquoise” - 14th century, horse amulet
Kunz cites the Lapidary attributed to John Mandeville, which says turquoise can protect overheated horses that have drunk cold water. He notes that the Turks tied some to their horses’ bridles, and that the same was done in Samarkand and Persia.
Gutenberg 57978, Kunz 1913, chap. “Turquoise,” Mandeville’s Lapidary
A gestureWear it as a ring or pendant on days of travel, touching it before leaving, as a gesture of caution.
No stone has a proven effect on health: if you have a health concern, see a health professional.
Its profile
- Type
- Turquoise (copper aluminum phosphate)
- Family
- Mineral
- Composition
- CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
- Mohs hardness
- 5–6 out of 10
- Crystal system
- triclinique
- Colors
- blue, green
- Origins
- Iran (Neyshabur), United States, China
- Common treatments
- stabilization with resin (very common) ; teinture
- Common imitations
- dyed howlite ; dyed magnesite ; plastique
Caring for it without damaging it
- WaterAvoidPorous stone: water seeps in; a barely damp cloth, never soaking.
- SaltNoSalt water attacks it or lodges in it, and the grains can scratch its polish.
- SunYesNo known fading in daylight.
- HeatNoHeat dries it out and changes its color.
- Scratches and knocksResistantMohs hardness 5–6: it resists everyday scratches, but not sharp knocks.
Cleansing and charging without damage
Cleansing a crystal: the reported methods
Charging a crystal: moon, flower of life
Precautions
- Imitations are very common: ask for the exact name (natural, treated, dyed, synthetic, or imitation).
Nuances and sources
Birthstone lists place it in December. Modern correspondences (throat, Sagittarius, Pisces) vary from book to book. The trade name “turquoise” covers stabilized and dyed stones, and imitations; hence the precaution displayed by Versana.
- Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing (2001–2005), species record · read October 15, 2026
- George F. Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, Lippincott, 1913 (public domain, Project Gutenberg no. 57978) · read October 15, 2026
Turquoise: your questions
How can you tell a real turquoise?
Imitations are very common: howlite dyed blue, dyed magnesite, plastic, glass. A hue that is too uniform, or painted veins, or color that rubs off on a cotton swab soaked in alcohol, should raise doubt. Even a real turquoise is often resin-stabilized. Always ask for the exact name: natural, enhanced, dyed, or reconstituted.
Does turquoise change color?
Yes: it is porous, and sweat, creams, oil, or sun can make it turn green or fade. On this point Kunz reports the belief that it paled according to the state or the unfaithfulness of the wearer, while also citing the simpler explanation: skin secretions. Avoid water, perfume, and heat.
Can you clean it with salt water?
Better to avoid it: salt and water seep into the porous stone and dull it, especially if it is resin-stabilized. A soft, dry cloth is enough. Versana gives the care details stone by stone, with the mineralogical reason.
Related crystals
- Labradoriteprotection, renewal
- Amazonitecommunication, calm
- Chrysocollacommunication, calm
- Malachiterenewal, protection
Turquoise on this site
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