[Jewelry making - Article 00377] - Re: [Orchid] Stabilizing turquoise

[kasselco]

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    Stabilizing Turquoise: Ahhh a subject of controversy. I,va been
    pursuing the holy grail of this subject for two years. Tested every
    method talked about on this Web site. Epoxy 330, Epacon products,
    every epoxy combination you can think of. Vacuum chambers, heated
    vacuum chambers, high pressure injection, soaking and a few other
    Hi-tech methods now in the testing phase. Bottom line a sasses of
    about 97% saturation, which is not acceptable. 

    I did discover that Turquoise without the matrix or mother rock was
    easily and 100% saturated, color stability and a workable. Turquoise
    that had partial matrix was the 97% that was not attainable in terms
    of a marketable product. I personally prefer the matrix mix. 

    The issue with the mother rock(Matrix) is that it is made up of a
    sediment that is clay like and has micro molecule imbedded within the
    clay, hence the heat drying removes most of the H2o. But to expel
    100% you need to vacuum under heat to get the max. effect. Not every
    one has the equipment. 

    Some of the issues with using acetone or any solvent based system is
    the voids within the Turquoise that do not get fully saturated with
    the epoxy during the evaporation phase also enhancement of the
    natural color is less that satisfactory. 

    Another issue with one component epoxy systems. They normally don't
    have a low enough viscosity for saturation if you should come across
    one that has a low V when you soak the turquoise it may get 100%
    within the mineral, but as soon as you heat the epoxy the viscosity
    drops so low (like water) a percentage of epoxy drains out and again
    you left with 85 to 90% saturation. 

    The viscosity of a two component system are not low enough to
    saturate. You typically get 75% or less. 

    The systems used to stabilize dinosaur bones is solvent based, again
    to many micro voids to get the best results. 

    I,va worked with chemists, collage chemistry departments for
    analysis of the Pro. stabilized products and Mfg. of epoxy systems.
    The End result is two fold. 

    1. Match the appropriate chemical that has the characteristics of
    low viscosity, heat treated UV stable, 85D hardness and no drain out. 


    2. Invest in equipment that can pressurize, vacuum and heat the
    product under a strict procedure of multy steps. 

    Bottom line: This can be achieved on a small scale if done wisely,
    lots of patients and economically. 

Stay tuned to the: TURQUOISE MAN
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