Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise

by Dale Armstrong
We've reached the end of our series on Turquoise - it's time to find out what types of "turquoise" are out there besides the natural Turquoise.
Reconstituted Turquoise

Reconstituted turquoise means very soft (chalk) turquoise, cutting floor material, and chips.

These get pulverized, suspended in resin, and dried into blocks.

Reconstituted and block turquoise are essentially the same.

While technically turquoise, this is an artificial process.

Bright orange, pink, or purple turquoise with pyrite matrix from foreign sources contains minimal real turquoise and likely heavy dye.

Buyer beware!

Merry Pringle wrapped this collection of wire bangle bracelets, including 2 turquoise cabochon bracelets.
Dale Armstrong's Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise - , General Education, , Turquoise bracelets
Mojave Turquoise

Mohave or Mojave turquoise refers to several types of "improved" turquoise.

Most on the market is real, low-grade turquoise bound with resin and dye.

With little natural turquoise usable, this creatively salvages material for jewelry.

Joan Madouse wrapped this striking Mohave turquoise pendant in silver plated wire.
Dale Armstrong's Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise - , General Education, , Mojave Turquoise pendant
Synthetic Turquoise

Synthetic turquoise is lab-created.

It matches turquoise's chemical compound but is man-made.

Like flawless lab gems, synthetic turquoise is hard and gem-quality.

Trusted dealers disclose if turquoise is synthetic or natural.

No sure way exists to distinguish them except judgment: is the color, matrix, or hardness too perfect?

Synthetic turquoise suits jewelry without fading or cracking.
Frances Lediaev wrapped this turquoise nugget in wire, making sure the bail was wide enough for her client's large Omega chain
Dale Armstrong's Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise - , General Education, , Turquoise pendant
Rainbow Calsilica

Rainbow Calsilica is a man-made stone often linked to turquoise.

Do not confuse it with natural chrysocolla, mistaken for turquoise.

It forms from powdered carbonate rock colored and stabilized with polymers.

I once bought purple "Turkey Turquoise," which was rainbow calsilica.

Beautiful for jewelry, but fully artificial.

Scientists confirm it is man-made, despite high demand and controversy.
Artificial Turquoise and Imitation Turquoise

Artificial and imitation turquoise is usually turquoise-colored plastic.

It can also be dyed howlite or other stones mimicking real turquoise.

If it looks like plastic, it probably is.

Dyed howlite requires caution.

Hot pin test: acrid plastic smoke means it's not genuine.

Stabilized stones may still smell acrid from the material used.
Kathy Eastman created this turquoise jewelry set from copper beads and charms and turquoise beads.
Dale Armstrong's Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise - , General Education, , Turquoise necklace
White Buffalo Turquoise

White Buffalo turquoise lacks only copper in its formula.

It is a rare colorless turquoise, not "white turquoise" which is howlite.

Unscrupulous dealers pass off howlite as Sacred Buffalo Turquoise from Nevada's Dry Creek Mine.

That mine has likely played out, making genuine pieces very rare.

Know your dealer and get educated.

Turquoise offers many varieties, from fade-resistant enhancements to funky colors. Who can resist turquoise jewelry?
Resources & Recommended Reading

Turquoise on Wikipedia

Gemcutters.org

MinDat.org - Rainbow Calsilica

MinDat.org- Turquoise Problems

Materials

13 Piece Turquoise (Reconstituted) Collar Set - Pack of 1 Set
A2-127
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.57
  • Gold Club Price: $2.68
Out of Stock
13 Piece Turquoise Howlite Collar Set
A2-1993Q
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.40
  • Gold Club Price: $1.80
Out of Stock
African Turquoise 10x14mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-739
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.60
  • Gold Club Price: $9.45
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African Turquoise 13x18mm Oval Cabochon
E8-32C
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.00
  • Gold Club Price: $2.25
Out of Stock
African Turquoise 5x10mm Double Drilled Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-746
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.96
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Sterling Silver Chain w/Bezelled Turquoise 12 to 15mm - 1 Foot
C8-210U
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $22.76
  • Gold Club Price: $17.07
Out of Stock
Yellow Turquoise 16mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-496
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.68
  • Gold Club Price: $8.76
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Wire
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Turquoise Beads
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Turquoise Cabochons
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Bench Tools
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): General Education