5 Signs that Confirm the Turquoise Bracelet is Unique

Turquoise has been one of the most popular gemstones used for ages for making jewelry. Famous for its healing and good-luck properties, it has a history of guarding its wearer against the evil eye. It has even been known to change color to warn the wearer against dangers. Time has further increased its popularity and increased its use in different forms of jewelry.

Unfortunately, turquoise is a gemstone that has limited availability. Growing demand has led to the production of a number of imitation versions of turquoise in the markets. Produced in mass numbers, fake turquoise bracelets and other jewelry are available in large numbers. Common knowledge is limited on the authenticity of turquoise, they are easily passed off as authentic gemstones to unsuspecting customers.

1) The cost

Genuine turquoise does not come in a lower price range. It is mined from limited mines throughout the world. Each mine produces a different shade of turquoise with a unique color and matrix. The green shades are more easily available than the blue ones. The matrix formation even varies from mine to mine. And that affects the price. The clarity, vibrancy, and uniqueness of the shade decide the final color of the turquoise stretch bracelet, which can go up to 5000$ a carat. Authentic turquoise bracelets do not come cheap. If the price is too low or the discount is too high, it is most probably not a unique bracelet. Real turquoise bracelets are expensive, with very little to no discount on them.

2) Irregular bead size

Authentic turquoise jewelry in the form of neckpieces, rings, and bracelets is handcrafted by the Native American tribes. These people have been using turquoise for centuries as talismans and in their weapons and ornaments. Different tribes have different ways of incorporating turquoise in their jewels. Some make beads purely with turquoise beads; some use needles to craft designs, while some use turquoise as an additional element for their jewelry pieces.

Each turquoise bead is handcrafted and polished manually before using them. This makes each piece unique from the rest. No two pieces of heishi bracelet will look the same. And if you see multiple similar-looking bracelets, they are most probably fake glass or howlite.

3) Texture

Original turquoise has a slightly irregular touch to it and feels cold to the palms. And the most vital thing is its color vibrancy. The green and the blue shades have a different matrix and hue according to the copper deposits in them. The rarest turquoise has almost no matrix, while other pieces have a dark or sometimes golden matrix. This matrix becomes difficult for artificial turquoise manufacturers to replicate. Usually, howlite, another naturally occurring stone, is dyed or passed off on its own as turquoise. This stone has a chalky consistency with a dull and grey look, unlike turquoise. And it feels warm to the touch. A simple look at the texture can let you know about the uniqueness of turquoise, provided you know your turquoise well.

4) Silver base

The authentic Turquoise bracelet has a silver base. The Native Americans learned the use of silver in the mid-nineteenth century by a group member named Atsidi Saini. This led to the incorporation of silver as the main outlay of their jewel pieces, having remained so till this day. The problem, apart from identifying turquoise, also lies in identifying the silver in its structure. Authentic silver turquoise bracelet made by native Americans will have a darkened touch on it as a part of their needling procedure.

This helps identify it from silver-plated turquoise, which has a glossier look on it. A shining silver clasp with a too bluestone is a telltale sign of cheap imitation. The authentic silver bracelet looks and feels darker, colder, and heavier with a natural hue.

5) Specific Information

The American Indians are a protected community. The government has been taking extraordinary measures to preserve their heritage and culture along with protecting their livelihood. It is illegal to sell any turquoise jewelry as American Indian without documentation papers or proof that a community member has made it.

An Authentic bracelet will have specific information about the artist, his tribe name, and papers providing information about the turquoise's type and authenticity. They give an impression of uniqueness to the bracelet, giving you a chance to keep a part of Native American heritage. In this regard, New Mexico Gems would be your ideal bet for buying a premium quality turquoise stretch bracelet for sure.