Raw turquoise is turquoise in its most authentic state, as it emerges from the mine. No polishing, no stabilization, no shaping: just that vibrant blue-green traversed by its natural matrix of brown and black veins, sometimes with traces of the host rock still clinging to the surface. It is in this form that Native Americans discovered it in the mines of New Mexico and Arizona, that Persians extracted it from the mountains of Khorasan, and that Egyptians harvested it from the mines of Sinai 6,000 years ago. Holding raw turquoise in your hand is touching the same material that these ancient civilizations revered as a sacred stone.
In lithotherapy, raw turquoise is considered the most potent form of this stone because it has undergone no treatment. Many turquoises on the market are stabilized (impregnated with resin to harden them) or reconstituted (agglomerated turquoise powder). Natural raw turquoise guarantees a stone in its original state. Placed in a room, it protects the space and purifies energies like a silent guardian. Held in the hand during meditation, it connects to the throat chakra and helps to find one's inner truth. Placed on an altar or sacred space, it brings the blessing of earth and sky, true to the Native American belief that sees turquoise as the bridge between the two worlds.
For care, raw turquoise requires special attention. It is porous and absorbs everything: water, oils, chemicals. Do not rinse it under water; do not put it in salt. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth if necessary and recharge it in moonlight. Keep it in a dry environment and away from prolonged direct sunlight, which can alter its color. With a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, handle it gently.
