There are many different colors, grades, and treatments of turquoise, making it difficult to choose the best one. The gemstones can vary from bright sky blue to more greenish colors with bold matrix patterns. If you make jewelry and want high-quality turquoise, it is important to know what qualifies as such.

This guide to selecting the best turquoise gives you confidence in your selection by providing easy-to-understand information on color grades, matrix patterns, treatment types, and grading systems. Trusted sellers like GemstonesForSale will often provide you with this type of information to help you understand what to expect when purchasing quality and to have confidence in your purchases.

High-Quality Turquoise Defined

Natural turquoise is unaltered or only minimally treated, has a live coloration, and has a sufficient hardness rating for jewelry use. The top-quality turquoise possesses vivid and even sky blue colorization, with a smooth finish and sufficient hardness to keep its polish.

Turquoise is rated on the following three characteristics:

• Color - Deep, uniform, and brightly pigmented.

• Structure - Strong enough to carry polish.

• Purity - Contains few impurities (balanced matrix).
  

  

Thus, the closer a piece of turquoise gets to these three characteristics, the higher its quality and value.

Looking for the best quality turquoise stone for jewelry making? Browse our carefully selected collection of vibrant colors, unique matrix patterns, and premium stones for your next design. Find the perfect turquoise that fits your style and quality standards.

Turquoise Grading System Explained

Turquoise lacks an industry-wide grading system like diamonds. As such, sellers assign general commercial grades that can vary slightly between different sources.

• AAA Grade (Best Quality): Deep and vivid color with a strong and sturdy structure and little to no matrix, typically natural or treated only slightly.

• AA Grade: A good to excellent color with varying degrees of visual matrix, typically stabilized.

• A Grade: Has considerably more visual matrix than either of the previous two grades and consists largely of green or light-colored stone (most are treated).
  
  
  

What does "AAA turquoise" mean?

"AAA" is a term used to describe the best turquoise on the market. It usually means excellent color, durability, and overall look, even though it's not always the same. Don't just trust the label; always look at the stone itself.

Natural vs Treated Quality Differences

There is a strong link between the treatment and the quality and price of turquoise.

Natural Turquoise

• Not treated and rare

• More valuable and worth collecting

• A little softer
  
  

  

Stabilized Turquoise

• Resin was used to make it stronger.

• More long-lasting and less expensive

• Commonly used in jewelry
  
  
  

Dyed or Reconstituted Turquoise

• Artificially enhanced or reconstructed

• Lowest quality

• Often used in mass production
  
  

  

Best choice:

• For luxury jewelry - natural turquoise

• For everyday wear - stabilized turquoise

Trusted sellers like GemstonesForSale usually disclose these treatments clearly, which is essential when making a purchase.

Want to Know How to Identify a Valuable Turquoise Stone? Explore our complete turquoise value guide covering color, matrix, rarity & market prices.

How to Identify Premium Turquoise Quickly

You don't always need to test turquoise in a lab to tell if it's good. You can find good stones by doing a few simple checks:

Color: Look for colors that are deep and even, and stay away from colors that are too bright or fake.

Surface: A polish that is smooth and waxy means the item is of good quality.

Matrix: Patterns that are fine and balanced are better.

Consistency: Don't let the color be splotchy or uneven.

Seller's honesty: Always double-check treatment details 

After a while, these visual cues become easy to spot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Turquoise

Even experienced buyers can make mistakes when they pick out turquoise grading. Stay away from these common mistakes:

• Assuming that bright colors mean good quality:
  Some stones are colored to make them look brighter than they really are.

• Not paying attention to treatment information:
  Not knowing if a stone is natural or stabilized can cause you to pay too much.

• Only using grading labels:
  There is no standard for terms like "AAA," so always check the stone.

• Not thinking about how long it will last:
  Rings and everyday wear may not be good for softer stones.

• Making mistakes when looking at matrix patterns:
  Matrix isn't always a bad thing; fine spiderweb patterns can make something more valuable.

• Buying only because of the price:
  A lot of the time, very cheap turquoise is fake or has been treated a lot.

• Choosing sellers who aren't trustworthy: 
  Always buy gems from places you can trust, like GemstonesForSale, to make sure they are real and of excellent quality.

  

Final Thoughts

That being said, the "best" turquoise also depends on what you want to do with it. Natural stones are excellent for collectors and high-end jewelry. On the other hand, stabilized turquoise is a good choice for everyday use because it looks impressive and is strong. 

If you know how to grade turquoise, take care of it, and avoid common mistakes when buying it, you can be sure that the turquoise you choose will look great and hold its value over time.

FAQ

• What is AAA-grade turquoise?
  AAA grade turquoise is a very high-quality turquoise with little to no matrix (the natural dark lines or spots on a piece of turquoise), good color, and good overall quality; however, there is no standardized grading for turquoise on the market today.

• Is natural turquoise more valuable or less than stabilized turquoise?
  Natural turquoise is more valuable than stabilized turquoise; however, stabilized turquoise can withstand daily wear better than natural turquoise due to stabilizers used when treating it.
  

• Does a matrix affect the value of turquoise?
  Yes, however, an attractive, uniform spider-webbing matrix can actually increase the value of a piece of turquoise, whereas other types of irregular or heavy matrices can decrease its value.
  

• How can I tell if my turquoise is real or fake?
  If it's real, it will have natural variations in color and a smooth finish; if you're unsure about the authenticity of a piece of turquoise, ask the seller about its possible treatments (dye, stabilizer, etc.).
  

• Is green turquoise considered to be of lower quality than other colors of turquoise?
  Yes, traditional grading of turquoise gives lower grades to green due to its rarity in the natural, untreated state; however, the growing popularity of the color green has made it very desirable as a color for jewelry designs.
  

• What is the purpose of treating turquoise?
  Turquoise is treated to improve its durability and color, and thus make it suitable for use in jewelry.
  

• Can I wear turquoise every day?
  Yes, turquoise can be worn every day, although it is best to go with stabilized turquoise, as it has a much higher level of durability.