As to the question of natural turquoise: this posted by a member of
this list. First it needs a look over. His turquoise may be natural,
or maybe not. As soon as you cut it you will know, it will smell like
glue if usually treated. I believe that the word stabilized should be
gotten rid of, let’s face reality, this is plasticized and should be
by law declared such. Most of this stuff, virtually all of it, looks
phony. If you cut you can spot most all of it across the room,
period. This “stuff” is not turquoise. It is chalk and plastic. A
piece of stabilized was tested by a lab in California and analyzed
about two years ago, it was over 70% polymer, i.e. plastic. I forget
where the result was published. That is what the “resin” is, it is a
plastic. Do not get me wrong I have a few pieces left over that are
heavily metalized, the problem is that the matrix between the rock
and metal is very soft, this undercuts, I have a diamond unit and
that dose not solve it. It should be treated. I do not recall the
details, but acetone and epoxy can be used for that. I also have two
pieces of opal that can also use that. I forget the exact formula but
this consists of using the acetone and both tubes of epoxy and
soaking the material. The directions are on the rockhound list in the
archives of past posts. I will save up until I have enough to
justify a batch of the problem rocks.
I do not meat to snub this, some of the better is hard to tell just
by look, especially if set. That is acceptable. But most of this has
a look that screams to what it is. Most should be regulated to
costume jewelry, the kind featuring cast base metal etc.
I almost can not believe the misI have seen on the list.
As in Persian “Old Rock.” That is not the right term. The term is old
mine or new mine. This has nothing to do with when the material was
mined. Most turquoise can be stained by body oils, old mine is immune
to that, out of Chinese material I have one piece that would be
called porcelain, this would be classed also as old mine (beyond
doubt). How can you tell? Unfortunately usually only by warring it
over time, best to treat all of it as new-mine, unless you like green
turquoise (It can be stained etc. and discolored by oils from your
skin). Which I do, although I like the blue better, I find Fox Mine
attractive, that tends, like most Nevada turquoise toward the green.
What should it cost, natural can go for as little as ten cents a
gram or less. Depends on material. And size shape etc. and if it has
a name. Hopefully the turquoise fad is over and prices will reflect
it. Ebay is usually the very worst place to get anything; there are a
few exceptions, but not for stone, usually you are very lucky to get
anywhere near to what you pay for. I know of two places selling good
quality for just over $200 a kilo. Sorry I will not post it.
Sleeping Beauty if you have a tax number will sell direct to you,
$250 a pound for large light blue flats. Darker is more, non flats
less etc. Most of what you see is the less expensive, going for
higher prices in smaller lots. Some of that you can get direct for
under $100 lb. There are of course several selling small amounts of
certain material for high prices, Gram Cabbing, Color Wright, but in
this case what you get is what is called cherry pickings. You are
lucky to find any as good in a larger lot; as to if it is worth it,
depends, you cannot beat quality. As to the Cripple Creek, some time
back I was strapped, out of curiosity, I asked if I could buy a
half-pound, they said yes (at the same rate). A few weeks back SFJS
was selling off small parcels at very nearly the exact price as
buying by the pound (sorry it’s gone). As for the garbage that there
is not enough natural, this is pure ----, anyone saying this is a
liar, or ignorant, they just don’t want to pay for it. Moreover this
is pure rationalization to justify the material they want to sell
you. The truth of this is self-evident providing you do the legwork.
Sincerely, Love to Cut