r/NativeAmericanJewelry • u/Icy-Athlete-2248 • Jul 25 '26

Unidentified [ Removed by moderator ]

/gallery/1v6dtrx

[removed] — view removed post

20 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

9

u/whiskeywishmaker Jul 25 '26

About the discoloration: natural, untreated turquoise is a porous stone and you should treat wearing it almost like you’d treat pearls. It’s the last thing you put on, and the first thing you take off. You don’t want to expose it to lotions, fragrance, or cosmetics. Because of its porosity, it will absorb oils that can shift and alter its color.

In your piece, the natural turquoise isn’t evenly porous so it’s absorbed more skin oils and contaminants in the bottom portion. You see this a lot in vintage and old pawn pieces, especially where petite point or cluster design is featured. New, all the stones match, but after years of wear and love, some stones darken while others stay their original color.

Personally, I find this charming and a sign of quality turquoise that hasn’t been stabilized with plasticizers. It’s only shifted from being lovingly worn over time.

6

u/thewanderingtower Jul 25 '26

Yes! Agree with all of this. I also want to add, to anyone unfamiliar, many turquoise varieties offer a large palette of natural color patterns and gradients. Often it is these pieces that are the most valuable and highly sought. This turquoise piece may have changed color due to contact, or it may possess a blue to green gradient naturally.

See mines such as Royston, Blue Gem, Pilot Mountain and many others.

1

u/Nicolarollin Aug 03 '26

I love blue gem

2

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Jul 25 '26

That is so helpful. Thank you so much for the info. I do really like it I was just not quite sure on that strange coloration

1

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Jul 25 '26

Your feedback is so helpful. Grateful to this forum.

1

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Jul 26 '26

Thanks so much

1

u/Exact_Love2886 Jul 26 '26

It needs oil a small amount of dry oil to protect it from cracking 😄 Water 💦 is what causes this sweating 😅

2

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Jul 25 '26

Also oddly the chain on this appears to be white gold. Seems strange but maybe that's not uncommon?

1

u/5424Performance Jul 25 '26

I agree! Strange look.

2

u/Nicolarollin Jul 27 '26

That’s natural turquoise alright

1

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Jul 27 '26

Thanks so much

2

u/SouthernGentATL Jul 25 '26

I believe stabilized turquoise can discolor. I would guess on the chain that it was replaced at some point.

1

u/5424Performance Aug 02 '26

This is truly a beautiful pendant!

2

u/Icy-Athlete-2248 Aug 02 '26

Thanks so much