[Jewelry making - Article 00176] - Re: [Orchid] Stabilized Vs. natural turquoise?

[MillsGem]

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Richard,

    I am well aware of the claims that Cripple Creek Turquoise is hard;
    some contend that it is as hard as quartz. Nonetheless, I am unaware
    of any definitive proof that it is that hard. It seems to me that
    GIA might put the issue to rest. As for silicated turquoise that too
    is a conundrum. I have heard that contention applied to variscite
    from some mines in Nevada and I also know from first hand experience
    that Nevade variscite is highly variable in hardness. In either case
    it would seem to me that you could hardly call either mineral pure
    if it were variable in molecular structure. True, other elements can
    be present, but they typically are present only at the trace level.
    It may be that it would be possible for other minerals to be present
    within the Turquoise. Chalcedony could quite conceivably be present
    as an admixture, but I would think that microscopic examination
    would determine whether this were true. Here again, we would be
    talking about a rock, not a mineral. It is fascinating, but a bit
    too nitpicky............ 

Ron Mills, Mills Gem Co. Los Osos, Ca.

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