In the second of our videos about gem grade turquoise Mike shows what he considers to be the most rare of all turquoise. #turquoise #gemturquoise #rareturquoise
I am obsessed with gem grade untreated turquoise and this dark web you show here is so fabulous! Wow! I live in Greece, Europe, and nearly everyone here is unfamiliar with these utter beauties of stones…We love your videos!!
Thank you. Yes most have never seen the highest grade from different mines. When they see the difference between chalk turquoise infused with plastic polymers and high grade natural they may truly appreciate the beauty of turquoise.
I am 66 years old and have inherited my grandfather's rock collection. He was from Abilene, Texas and was a lifetime rock hound and gemologist. He had a box of rough black nodules, quite heavy, in with his turquoise specimens. I suspect that these are turquoise, but I haven't had any cut yet. He hunted all over the desert southwest and has chrysocolla, azurite, malachite, and many specimens of native copper and pyrite that are odd shaped. Do you know of any turquoise that is found in a black lumpy nodule? I'm asking because one of the larger ones seems to be "windowed" and I am able to see the turquoise color inside of this window.
@@turquoiseinamerica3164 last reply, I thought I once had a piece of gem grade number 8 (my grandpa was a native silversmith back in the 1950's to the 70's) that I got from my grandpa's stash. It has robins egg blue turquoise blotches in it with a matrix mixture of black spider-webbing with areas of dark to light brown matrix. However, I did see that it was stabilized......so although it's RARE, it's not the gem grade quality that you describe gem grade qualities to be.
In my opinion what really matters is the beauty & rarity of the color of natural turquoise even if it’s been stabilized with the accepted method without effecting the color
When turquoise is treated by stabilization with the injection of plastic it is no longer considered natural. Stabilization will effect color even if dye has not been added. I refer you to the chapter describing different treatment in Turquoise in America Part Two 1910-1990.
I have an old piece of Stormy Mountain that I plan to reset (it can resemble these beautiful specimens), my favorite is Number Eight with the brown matrix (I have some old pawn pieces)....I'm glad it's my birthstone, but people have given me howlite as a gift not knowing any better.
Inherited about a pint of turquoise from my paternal grandmother via my Dads estate. Came out of St.John’s AZ in 1970s. Some polished cabochons with some black or bronze colored stuff on the back. Varies in size from Skittles candy to almonds. 2 cut pieces 3/8” thick. Most are solid, but some is marbled. Also looking for 2 buckets of rocks. The ends were polished thru. How to determine what to do with this? Jewelers?
I have a ring with no markings? Big stone, I've had for 33 years.. probably old when I got it.. lots of character it's a mans ring.. can I email you a picture to get more info? It's definitely real .. just so curious about it
I love your videos thank you for your passion, I have learned so much, I think I am addicted to your videos now. I have been looking for small nuggets tiny for art, but everything I find is fake. Do you have a source for real crushed or small tumbled turquoise from U.S.? Thank you in advance. Or anyone here know where I would find a source? I don't want beads. Just the crushed or tiny nuggets. THANK YOU in advance.
You’re a very blessed guy to hold that top grade Candelaria. The term Top Grade is used here and there but in this case it means not high grade, not gem grade, not Top 5% and not Top 1%. We here see the Top of the Top 1% in rarity
thanks for the info .i recently bought some turquoise from a respectable dealer who sells antique stuff like dzi beads etc..i bought 60 grams of turquoise and i have only pictures of them until the shippment arrives..is it possible to see in pics if the turquoise is natural or stabilized?
Turquoise is difficult to photograph and color may be manipulated. No you can not determine if the stone has been treated from a photo. That requires lab testing or long experience with turquoise. Best to rely on a trusted dealer.
@@adam-ue4st It depends on the treatment. Enhanced requires a lab test. Epoxy stabilized often gives a plastic smell when cutting or with hot pin test. If you purchased from a reputable dealer they would tell you.
@@turquoiseinamerica3164 the dealer says she didnt buy the beads all toghether but rather individually for 30 years and then made a necklace . i can check each bead with a hot pin test but im afraid it might ruin the bead..epoxy resin is smellable..but lets say the zachary treament - how can i find out?
I assume you are referring to the mining of pre historic Ancestral Puebloan. Certainly not in the manner of today since plastic polymers are modern. Surface treatments including wax and body oil have been used since turquoise was first mined.
