[Jewelry making - Article 00199] - Re: [Orchid] Stabilized Vs. natural turquoise?

[jake]

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    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 misinformation I 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

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