Copper Turquoise - what is this?

Good day, I was looking on ebay for some unusual stones and keep
coming across this one… can someone tell me is this real or
something enhanced?

TIA,
Tina
CreatedWithFire Studios
http://createdwithfire.deviantart.com/

I was looking on ebay for some unusual stones and keep coming
across this one... can someone tell me is this real or something
enhanced? 

That would be the Mohave Purple turquoise produced by the Colbaugh
Processing, Co. out of Kingman, AZ. Colbaugh owns the mining rights
to Kingman turquoise. They are also the largest turquoise stabilizing
processor in the US with their proprietary Colbaugh Process. If you
are ever been down in Kingman, AZ you can locate their plant by the
strong plastic smell 7 Miles North of Kingman on Hwy 93. The have a
showroom there too. I’ve been told that people drive from LA, or Las
Vegas to buy their Mohave Purple and Green beads by the armload not
to mention how much they sell internationally.

A couple years ago they began dyeing low grade chalk purple and
green. The recently added brass to the reconstituting process. So
this stuff is low grade chalk turquoise that has been compressed,
dyed, had brass added, and stabilized. The question is when does it
stop being turquoise? Reports are that the purple fades over time.

It sells like crazy. Still, I prefer my turquoise blue or green as
(insert deity) intended.

Colbaugh has a website: http://www.colbaugh.net

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
rockymountainwonders.com

Tina, I dont know about the item or seller but Copper is what makes
Turquoise blue.

Thanks -Chris

Turquoise has copper in it. This is just a selling idea.

John

I looked on eBay myself; quite a few of these cabochons out there.
Seen in the up-close photos, they resemble simulated cabochons I used
to make out of polymer clay. I used to make visually accurate coral,
jade, turquoise, lapis and ivory. The items on eBay look as though
they have a surface coating - reminds me of epoxy or clear fingernail
polish.

I noticed one of the sellers extolled the quality of the genuine
sterling silver, but said nothing about the cabochon. Another seller
declared it to be purple copper turquoise, whatever that means. If
there’s any truth to the ‘turquoise’, I’ll bet it is turquoise dust
bonded with a polymer binder and copper shavings (think 'goldstone’
glass…).

It would be interesting for someone to purchase one and sacrifice it
for the knowledge of all!

best regards,
Kelley

That would be the Mohave Purple turquoise produced by the Colbaugh
Processing, Co. out of Kingman, AZ. Colbaugh owns the mining
rights to Kingman turquoise. 

Rick, do you know what exactly Mohave Purple is? Is it a turquoise?
Is is a composite? Is it dyed?

Thanks,
Sam Patania

A friend asked me about this very item. She had seen Copper
Turquoise cabochons being offered on one of the jewelry television
programs. They were described as “reconstituted, stabilized
turquoise.” Kelly is probably correct is assuming it is “turquoise
dust bonded with polymer binder and copper shavings.”

Alma

Sam,

do you know what exactly Mohave Purple is? Is it a turquoise? Is is
a composite? Is it dyed? 

It is low grade chalk turquoise that has been compressed,
stabilized, dyed, and had bits of brass and/or copper added. With the
addition of the copper and brass you could say it is a composite. So
it starts out as turquoise but what the end product is, well it’s a
matter of opinion.

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
rockymountainwonders.com

I LOVE it, compressed, dyed who could want anything more??? Probably
bomb and radiation proof too. How funny they would call it
turquoise. Oh well,

Thanks for the info,
Sam