[Jewelry making - Article 00426] - Re: [Orchid] Turquoise looses color in attack

[leonid Surpin]

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Pam,

    Turquoise when mined, depending on the location, have different
    degree of density. Most of it is low density and it is stabilized by
    epoxy or similar compounds. Only small percentage is dense enough to
    be used in jewellery without treatment. Turquoise of this quality is
    sold locally, and almost impossible to obtain. 

    In your case it may be cheaper to replace stone, than trying to fix
    it. Lapidary specializing in turquoise can advise you on the most
    economical course of action. 

    However, since you mentioned white veining, it is also possibility
    that you may be dealing with synthetic turquoise. 

    Take a 10x loop and examine the stone. If you can see while grain in
    the blue background, almost like cooked farina, it is synthetic.
    Other possibility is that original matrix was bleached out before
    dying stone blue. 

    That type of treatment goes far beyond regular stabilization and
    stone cannot be very expensive.
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