Natural Feroza (Turquoise) Stone in Pakistan

The three names you will hear

Most buyers walk in already knowing the style they want:

• Irani Nishapuri Feroza - named after the old mines near Nishapur in Iran, and loved for a clean, even sky-blue with little or no veining.
• Shajri Feroza - turquoise with a natural web of brown or black matrix running through it, a look plenty of people prefer to plain blue.
• Afghani Feroza - decent colour at kinder rates, often with some matrix or a slightly greener tint.

Natural, stabilised or dyed

This is the first thing to settle with any Feroza. Turquoise is a soft, porous phosphate, about 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, and a large share of what is sold worldwide is stabilised: a clear resin is worked into the pores so the stone is tougher and holds its colour. That is a normal, accepted treatment as long as it is disclosed. What we refuse to sell is dyed material and imitations. Dyed howlite or magnesite, "reconstituted" turquoise made from pressed powder, and plain plastic all turn up in markets under the name feroza. On our listings you will see whether a stone is natural or stabilised.

Judging quality

An even, strong blue is the colour most people want and the one that costs most; greener stones are generally cheaper. The surface should take a smooth, waxy polish without pits, chips or cracks. In Shajri stones, a fine, balanced spider-web of matrix raises the value, while heavy, blotchy patches lower it. Untreated stones of good colour sit above stabilised ones. To compare two listings, divide price by carat weight for the per-carat rate.

How fakes give themselves away

Be suspicious of a bright, perfectly uniform "swimming pool" blue at a very low price. In dyed howlite the colour soaks into cracks and veins, so they look darker than the rest of the stone. Plastic feels light and warms up quickly in your hand. Our authenticity page explains how we check each stone, and you are free to have yours tested independently.

Feroza in belief and custom

Turquoise is one of the December birthstones. In Persian and Islamic culture it has long been linked with protection and good fortune, especially for travellers. In South Asian astrology it is often connected with Jupiter (Brihaspati). A Feroza set in a silver ring, usually worn on the ring or little finger, is still one of the most common men's rings in Pakistan. These are traditions, not promised effects.

Caring for turquoise

Because it is porous, Feroza can soak up skin oil, perfume, soap and cosmetics, and over time that can shift the colour towards green. Take the ring off for wuzu, washing up and cooking, wipe it with a soft dry cloth, and keep it out of ultrasonic cleaners.

Buying Feroza from Authentic Gems

The stone in the photographs is the stone you receive. Delivery is by insured, tracked courier for a flat Rs. 500 per order, and you pay Cash on Delivery after opening the parcel in front of the rider and checking the stone. In Karachi that usually takes 1 to 2 working days; Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other big cities 2 to 4; smaller towns up to about 7. Unused stones can be returned within 7 days under our return policy.