Is stabilized turquoise fake?

No. It is real turquoise that has been hardened. It should be described honestly and priced lower than untreated stone.

Why did my turquoise change color?

Natural turquoise can darken or shift as it absorbs oils from skin, lotions and the air. That is normal for a porous stone. Keeping it away from products slows the change.

Can I wear turquoise every day?

Yes, with care. Stabilized stones handle daily wear better than natural ones, but both should stay away from water, heat and chemicals.

Is turquoise a birthstone?

Turquoise is a traditional December birthstone.

Turquoise Meaning, Real vs Stabilized, and How to Care for It

Turquoise has been worn for thousands of years, and it still stands out in a jewelry box. That soft blue-green is hard to mistake. It is also one of the stones most often copied, so a little knowledge helps when you buy.

What turquoise traditionally means

In many cultures turquoise has long been worn as a stone of protection, good fortune and calm. People have set it into jewelry, carved it into amulets and given it as a gift for travel. These are traditional beliefs, and we share them as lore. We don't make any health or medical claims for stones.

Natural, stabilized and imitation

These words appear on product listings and they mean different things.

Natural turquoise is cut and polished with little more than waxing. It is the purest form and also the most delicate, because turquoise is porous and fairly soft.
Stabilized turquoise is natural turquoise that has been treated with a clear resin to harden it and deepen its color. It is very common, and sellers say most turquoise on the market today has been stabilized. It wears better day to day. It is fine to buy as long as the price reflects it.
Reconstituted turquoise is made from turquoise dust pressed with resin.
Imitation turquoise is dyed plastic, or another stone such as howlite dyed blue, with no turquoise in it at all.

A polished surface that looks overly glossy and wet can be a sign of poor-quality treatment. The only reliable answer comes from the seller or a gemologist, so ask directly what the stone is.

How to care for turquoise jewelry

Turquoise is porous, so it picks up oils, lotions and cleaners.

Put it on after perfume, lotion and hairspray.
Take it off before cleaning, swimming or washing your hands.
Keep it away from heat, which can fade or crack it.
Wipe it with a soft dry cloth. If you need more, use a barely damp cloth and dry it right away.
Store it in a soft pouch, apart from harder stones that could scratch it.

See our full care guide for other stones.

Turquoise pieces from Ellie

The Tiger Eye & Turquoise Bracelet pairs polished tiger eye and turquoise cubes with gold hematite spacers on an adjustable black cord. It is made to be worn by men and women. The Red Tiger Eye & Turquoise Bracelet uses round red tiger eye beads with turquoise discs and a small heart charm. The Quartz & Turquoise Wire Choker is wire-worked clear quartz chips scattered with turquoise rounds, bronze freshwater pearls, citrine and faceted crystal. The Agate, Citrine & Turquoise Twist Necklace twists turquoise in with agate, citrine, fire quartz, jade, freshwater pearls and onyx.

If you would like to know more about the turquoise in a particular piece, message us and we'll tell you what we know.