Dear Lee,
None of the posts thus far have mentioned the electric treatment for
Turquoise. One of the suppliers in New Mexico has sold it in the
past. I don’t know how it is done nor how it affects the physical
characterisitcs of the Turquoise, but I do believe that it was
claimed to be an undetectable treatment. I sometimes wonder also
whether Turquoise could be treated with Opticon. This latter
treatment would be somewhat difficult to detect.
Ron Mills, Mills Gem Co.Los Osos, Ca.
I cut the stone myself and know it is natural.
I recently read (on Ganoksin?) about treating rough-- is this
limited to heat, or can rough be treated other ways before cutting?
Or can I be sure that stone I cut myself is not impregnated with
something?
Noel
Noel,
I don’t have a lot of knowledge about the details of treating
turquoise.
Ron just mentioned a new electrical treatment which is probably very
difficult to detect. The electrical treatment may be done after the
stone is cut. A stone treated this way probably smells like dirt when
ground without water.
Steve mentioned that he treats turquoise. The older method of
treating turquoise was to impregnate poor quality stone with some
resin. These stones smell of perfume or burning plastic when ground.
A natural stone will smell like dirt when ground without water.
Rough resin treated turquoise has spots on the surface that look like
honey unless the stone is well tumbled after treating. The honey
looking material is the resin.
In the long run if good turquoise is well treated it can be a good
deal. If the treatment is well done on a decent stone the result
will be a very fine looking piece of turquoise. Treated stones must
be sold to the customer as treated Turquoise. In general treated
turquoise is more durable that natural stone. It will not lose its
color with age, which means the original design will not change with
time.
My two cents,
Lee Epperson
By the way I,am one of those un-purest who make my living
Stabilizing Turquoise which in my humbly opinion is a pretty good
product for the price.
Steve, I am interested in purchasing Turquoise stones for pendants,
rings, earring,buckles, bracelet, etc., bezel settings. Can you send
photos, dimensions and wholesale prices to me (pdharts@Verizon.net).
Thank you.