[Jewelry making - Article 00059] - Re: [Orchid] Untreated Peruvian turquoise rough

[leonid surpin]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

>     And explain how, with the chemical/geological/gemological make-up
>     of turquoise that it can be hard enough? It's very structure is
>     porous in nature. 

    We can talk about 3 basic types of turquoise. 

    One is called Common Turquoise. This is what is used for
    stabilization process. It is soft and chalky and would not last long
    without stabilization. 

    Then there is Gem Turquoise. It is very old ( in geological terms )
    and become silicified ( same way like petrified wood ) and this
    turquoise could approach quartz in hardness. When it is perfect blue,
    we have famous Persian variety. 

    The third type is called semi-turquoise. Semi-turquoise could be a
    long discussion, so I will only give one example. Iron is a common
    admixture in turquoise, aka Ferro Turquoise, which can form an
    isomorphic row ( various compositions ) with Chalcosiderite.
    Henwoodite is an example of that. 

    Trade varieties like spider-web and others are not part of this
    discussion. They properly should be called Turquoise Matrix. 

    This is in no way complete description of Turquoise. Many volumes
    can be written about it and even than the subject would not be
    exhausted. 

Leonid Surpin
www.studioarete.com
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________