Blue-green turquoise appears everywhere in Tibetan jewelry: on malas, bracelets, earrings, gau boxes and ritual objects. This guide explains what it traditionally means, what kinds of turquoise are sold today, and how to choose and care for a piece.
What turquoise means in Tibet
The Tibetan word for turquoise is yu. For centuries it has been worn by men and women alike, often together with red coral, amber and dzi beads. The common explanation is that turquoise protects the wearer and is linked with a person's life force; a family's best stone was often handed down through generations. A popular folk belief says the stone changes colour with the wearer's health or fortune. In fact turquoise is porous and slowly darkens or turns greener as it absorbs skin oils, which is a natural process.
These are cultural meanings. Turquoise jewelry is not a medical product and does not treat any condition.
Natural, stabilised, synthetic: what the words mean
- Natural turquoise: mined stone that is only cut and polished. Colours run from sky blue to green, often with dark veins called matrix. It is fairly soft and porous.
- Stabilised turquoise: natural stone strengthened with resin so it is harder and keeps its colour. Very common in beads.
- Synthetic or imitation turquoise: man-made or dyed material with a turquoise look. The colour is very even and the price is lower.
- "White turquoise" and "African turquoise": trade names. In the wider market these usually refer to other stones, such as howlite or a type of jasper, not to turquoise itself.
None of these is wrong to buy; what matters is knowing which one you are getting. On our product pages, check the Material line: it states "Turquoise" or "Turquoise (Synthetic)".
Turquoise pieces in our shop
Malas, bracelets and silver earrings. See the full Turquoise collection.
How to choose
Type of piece
A 108-bead mala can be used for counting mantras and also worn wrapped around the wrist or as a necklace. A slim bracelet with 3 mm (0.12 in) beads suits daily wear and stacking. Earrings are an easy gift because no sizing is needed; our lotus leaf pair is 45 mm (1.8 in) long.
Size
Most of our elastic bracelets fit a wrist of 14–18 cm (5.5–7.1 in). Measure your wrist with a soft tape before ordering. Larger beads of 8 mm (0.31 in) or more look bolder and feel heavier.
Colour and pattern
Clear blue looks clean and modern; green tones with dark matrix look more traditional. Neither is better. With natural stone, expect each bead to differ slightly.
How to care for turquoise
- Keep it away from water, soap, perfume, lotion and sweat. Take it off before washing, swimming or exercise.
- Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
- Store it out of strong sunlight and apart from harder stones and metal that can scratch it.
- For pieces set in 925 silver, the silver may tarnish; polish the metal only, with a silver cloth, and avoid rubbing the stone.
