Turquoise September 2nd, 2009
Turquoise is a relatively soft stone in a variety of colors this was news to me as I listened to the shop keeper in my airport hotel. It is available in colors from light sky blues to deep rich blues to blue greens and green. The color of turquoise is determined by the amount of mineral present in the stone. If there is a greater amount of copper the stone will be more blue verses if there is more iron the stone will be green. Without these minerals the stone is white and known as howlite or Buffalo Turquoise. Turquoise is mined in many places throughout the world the southwest US, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Australia and Mexico to name just a few. Turquoise mining has taken place for centuries around the world. Ancient beads of turquoise are found in Africa, America, China and Tibet. The sky blue nature of the stone gave it great appeal to ancient man. Experience with the stone and familiarity with the colors can help in gaining confidence in identifying where the turquoise was mined. Around 80% of turquoise available today is mined in China and Tibet much of the rest of the turquoise in the market place is mined in the US. Turquoise can be a problematic stone due to the number and amount of dyed imitations, synthetics and treatments used on poor or low-grade turquoise stones to create a stone with a more valuable appearance. Additionally processes of grinding chalk turquoise and mixing it with dyes and resins to create reconstituted turquoise and out and out synthetic imitations made and molded in plastic and polymer clay. There is nothing wrong with any of the processes as long as the end product is sold with full disclosure. When dealing in finer turquoise I recommend using experience and your best judgment or that of someone trusted.
Stabilization of a softer turquoise stone that otherwise couldn’t be cut or polished is considered an acceptable practice, as long as the natural appearance of the stone is not altered. The majority of turquoise available today is stabilized.
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- Posted by Cliff
- Tagged Arts & Culture, Travel
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