[Jewelry making - Article 01574] - Re: [Orchid] White Turquoise

[Roseann Hanson]

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Noel -

    I just saw "White Buffalo Turquoise" at my favorite gem shop in
    Tucson. Shawn Starr, who bought it, wasn't there to answer my
    questions, so I had just looked it up a few days ago and found this: 

    "White Buffalo" Turquoise 

    When discovered in the Dry Creek Mine, north of Austin, Nevada, in
    1993,they were not sure what it was. Because of its hardness, it was
    decided to send it in to be assayed and their suspicions proved
    correct; it was in fact White Turquoise. It was not until 1996,
    however, that it was finally made into jewelry. 

    The chemical name for Turquoise is Aluma Phosphate which, in its
    pure chemical state, is white. Turquoise takes on color via an
    intrusion of either copper or iron. In the case of Dry Creek ore, the
    slight coloration, when present, is the result of copper. The more
    intrusion, the darker the color. 

    Blue turquoise forms where there is copper present, which is the
    case with most Arizona turquoises. Green turquoise forms where iron
    is present, the case with most Nevada turquoises. 

    White Turquoise forms where there are no heavy metals present, which
    turns out to be a very rare occurrence. To date, no other vein of gem
    quality white turquoise has been discovered anywhere else in the
    world. When this current vein runs out, that will be the last of it.
    Because White Turquoise is as rare as a white buffalo, the Indians
    call it "White Buffalo" Turquoise. The White Turquoise is itself
    considered sacred and powerful. The jewelry-making  is an honoring or
    tribute to the "White Buffalo" Turquoise." 

    source: Yandre and Teague - an Indian jewelery gallery in Nevada
    http://www.vcnevada.com/Y&TLtd/page7.html 

    I haven't had time to chase down more about this or verify above
    statements - it's not in my older gem books. 

    http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/200206/msg00614.htm 

    The thread from Orchid (above) had some similar information, but
    also suggested it could be howlite, and also that many facts are
    played "loose" with this type of newish stone. There is no doubt,
    though, that the white turquoise from Nevada that I got is hard and
    behaves like some turquoise when cutting (I reshaped a piece to fit a
    design). 

Roseann

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