[Jewelry making - Article 00861] - Re: [Orchid] [Source] 'Persian' turquiose beads

[Lee Einer]

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>        Sounds like the sales associate was a bit of a pompous and
>     arrogant jerk, but that doesn't necessarily make him wrong. 

    Barbra, the sales person stated that the turquoise was Sleeping
    Beauty material, which comes from Arizona.  So he was an arrogant
    and pompous jerk, but in addition, he was at least partially wrong
    IMO. The term "Persian" is now being applied by some to any sky-blue
    turquoise, but it allows for major misunderstanding as it is also a
    designation of provenance. In addition, it carries no useful
    information which would not more clearly and simply be conveyed by
    calling the turquoise "sky-blue." 

    Of course, terminology which misleads or confuses the consumer is
    much loved by those who seek to misrepresent the value of their
    wares. So now we have yellow turquoise and "white buffalo"
    turquoise, and Persian turquoise from Arizona. 

    The final irony is that a large proportion of commercially available
    turquoise is now dyed, so I guess any chalk turquoise can be
    "Persian" under these rules, as long as it is dyed the proper shade
    of blue, so a term of provenance which once was synonymous with the
    highest quality turquoise may end up being synonymous with cheap
    stabilized chalk. 

Lee Einer
Dos Manos Jewelry
http://www.dosmanosjewelry.com

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