SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR - Turquoise, Yellow and Copper Colors !

At times colors are not what they seem. Sometimes it is possible to substitute one gemstone for another to achieve a similar effect. That is what has been done with this Southwestern Flair Set.

Turquoise colored Howlite coin discs, that are substituted for actual Turquoise, are mated with Yellow Jade coin discs, that are substituted for Amber, are then seperated by copper highlights.The overlapping coin discs provide a unique and different look.
The 21 inch necklace is finished with a copper Toggle clasp.
Matching copper French Hook earrings complete the set.

Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How, who found it in Tick Canyon, California in 1868. Howlite is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise color Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

Jade on todays market is primarily composed of Nephrite; Jadeite Jade has become quite rare and in its emerald-green, translucent form is referred to as Imperial Jade or "gem jade". A small amount of cromium in Jadeite accounts for the color of Imperial Jade. Other color-based names for Jadeite Jade are Yunan Jade, for a uniquely appearing dark green, semitranslucent Jade, Apple Jade for apple (yellowish green) green Jade, and Moss-in-Snow for white Jade with vivid green spots and streaks. Nephrite and Jadeite Jade ranges in color from a somewhat greasy-appearing, white to dark and light shades of green, gray, blue-green, lavender, yellow, orange, brown, reddish-brown, and black. An important dark green variety of Nephrite is sometimes known as "spinach Jade". The chromophore in all Nephrite Jades is usually iron. Nephrite jade is usually opaque to translucent in thinner pieces. This particular Jade used in this piece is a shade of yellow. The name Jade has been, and continues to be, applied to a variety of materials that superficially or closely resemble Jade but are not composed of either Jadeite or Nephrite. So as the old saying gos "Buyer Beware !".

SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR -- Dress Up or Dress Down !

A Southwestern style or a Southwestern type of jewelry leaves one wide open when designing necklaces and auxiliary pieces such as earrings, bracelets, belt buckles, and hat pins. Depending on the tribe, loction, availability of stones as well as silver or other metals that ae used, one sees many styles and types of Southwestern Jewelry.

In this particular design, Turquoise rounds, Coral beads, and Silver plated highlights are connected together in a double strand 18 inch necklace. A Silver plated diamond shapped Turqouise colored Howlite and Coral inlay pendant are the focal point of the necklace.

Silver plated French Hook earrings with Turquoise and Coral beads and a Silver plated highlight complete the set.

Turquoise comes in many colors and types in today's market. To help understand a bit, the following is provided----
Natural - This comes directly from the mine. It is cut shaped and polished and set into jewelry. It has no man made treatment or additives other than a polishing compound that adds to its luster. Several pieces of natural Turquoise from Arizona, can be seen to the right and are beautiful with very little polishing. Most stones in this state are very close to gem quality. The coloration of natural Turquoise can darken as oils from the skin work its way into the stone over the years, especially of not properly cleaned.
Stabilized – This is a natural turquoise usually in nugget form, but does not hold a luster. It is submerged into a stabilizing compound and dried, cut and prepared for jewelry. The turquoise has not been altered. The pores of the stone have been filled with a clear resin that makes the stone usable. This process allows for diversity of shapes and possibilities in jewelry making. Color Stabilized stones are considered altered and sometimes color has been added in this process. This in not necessarily bad, but it has less value than a piece that is naturally colored. Stabilized Turquoise usually does not change color with wear and because of its hardness, wears better in jewelry.
Treated - This form of color enhancement has been used for thousands of years. It is done as discussed earlier by submerging Turquoise stones into animal fat or vegetable oil and later air dried. Normally the color will not last very long. A new variety on the market, called "Motaska" and "Majave" Stone is much more stable and retains its color as well as being infused with gold, silver and copper.
Fake and Synthetic – Ceramics, bone, celluloid and plastic are used to imitate turquoise. Synthetic turquoise has a very natural matrix that is produced by placing stones in the synthetic “batter”.
Imatations - Then there are the imatations, in many cases natural gemstones that are beautiful in their own right, but due to the fact they accept dyes, many times are dyed the various turquoise colors and then are sold by unscrupulous dealers as real Turquoise. Price becomes the real determining factor when it comes to seperating real Turquoise from dyed Howlite, Magnesite or Ivoryite.

Red Coral is a calcium carbonate (+magnesia+organic substance) found naturally in the Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Japan, Canary Isles and the Bay of Biscay. The most valuable of the varieties from these locations is red Coral. Only the calcified external skeleton of this sea creature (genus Corallium) is used in jewelry. Coral has been highly prized, worn in jewelry and used as an amulet or talisman since before the time of Egypt. Coral is one of the few Organic gemstones. All Corals except for the man-grown and harvested Sponge Coral, is being considered for addition to the endangered species listings.

Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How, who found it in Tick Canyon, California in 1868. Howlite is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise color Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

SOUTHWESTERN FLAIR - Bold and Dynamic !

In order to help the Turquoiise lover and wearer keep the price down, this 20 inch necklace is constructed of Turquoise colored Howlite. The highlight dangle pendant is 2 1/2 inches long hanging from a strand of Turquoise colored donut beads, Chalcedony beads, Smoky Quartz beads and ivory shell coin beads with silver accents. A Silver Toggle clasp completes the necklace. French Hook matching earrings of Chalcedony and Smoky Quartz complete the set.

Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How, who found it in Tick Canyon, California in 1868. Howlite is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise color Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, composed of very fine intergrowths of the minerals quartz and moganite. These are both silica minerals, but they differ in that quartz has a trigonal crystal structure, while moganite is monoclinic. Chalcedony has a waxy luster, and may be semitransparent or translucent. It can assume a wide range of colors, but those most commonly seen are white to gray, blue and grayish-blue or a shade of brown ranging from pale to nearly black. Chalcedony occurs in a wide range of varieties. Many semi-precious gemstones are in fact forms of chalcedony.

Smoky Quartz is many times incorrectly called Smoky Topaz, this brown transparent Quartz is sometimes used for unusual faceted cuts and is quite popular in many types of jewelry. Smoky Quartz has an unusual color for a gemstone and is easily recognized and is well known by the general public. Only a few other brown or black minerals are ever cut for gemstones such as black Diamond, smoky Topaz, the very rare black Beryl or brown Corundum. Smoky Quartz is also popular as an ornamental stone and is carved into spheres, pyramids, obilisks, eggs, figurines and ornate statues. The cause of the color of Smoky Quartz is in question but it is almost certainly related to the amount of exposure to radiation that the stone has undergone. Natural Smoky Quartz often occurs in granitic rocks which have a small but persistent amount of radioactivity and/or high hot therma fissures. Most Smoky Quartz that makes its way to rock shops and to some gem cutters has been artificially irradiated to produce a dark black color. Natural Smoky Quartz comes from many sources around the world, a few of the more noteworthy locations include Brazil, the world's largest supplier; Pikes Peak area of Colorado, USA, where it is associated with green Amazonite; Arkansas, USA in the Quartz rich area around Hot Springs, and the Swiss Alps, which has produced many tons of fine specimens. Smoky Quartz is found throughout Quartz deposites found in the Granite fields of New Hampshire. It is also know as Cairngorm, as when found it reminded the early settlers of their Scottish homeland.

Shell coin beads are also used in this set.

GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Amber & Turquoise !

Initially the Indians of the Southwest used shells, spiny oyster and some corals to add color to their Turquoise, Magnesite and Agate jewelry. From time to time traders would provide them with Amber, which was quickly incorporated into designs.

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This design incorporates Baltic Amber and stabilized Arizona Turquoise chips with a turquoise colored Howlite tear drop pendant and Black Agate (Onyx) barrels with a silver toggle clasp. Matching French Hook Amber and Turquoise chip earrings complete the set.

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To help understand the types of Turquoise on today's market. the following is provided----

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Natural - This comes directly from the mine. It is cut shaped and polished and set into jewelry. It has no man made treatment or additives other than a polishing compound that adds to its luster. Several pieces of natural Turquoise from Arizona, can be seen to the right and are beautiful with very little polishing. Most stones in this state are very close to gem quality. The coloration of natural Turquoise can darken as oils from the skin work its way into the stone over the years, especially of not properly cleaned.

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Stabilized – This is a natural turquoise usually in nugget form, but does not hold a luster. It is submerged into a stabilizing compound and dried, cut and prepared for jewelry. The turquoise has not been altered. The pores of the stone have been filled with a clear resin that makes the stone usable. This process allows for diversity of shapes and possibilities in jewelry making. Color Stabilized stones are considered altered and sometimes color has been added in this process. This in not necessarily bad, but it has less value than a piece that is naturally colored. Stabilized Turquoise usually does not change color with wear and because of its hardness, wears better in jewelry.

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Treated - This form of color enhancement has been used for thousands of years. It is done as discussed earlier by submerging Turquoise stones into animal fat or vegetable oil and later air dried. Normally the color will not last very long. A new variety on the market, called "Motaska" and "Majave" Stone is much more stable and retains its color as well as being infused with gold, silver and copper.

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Fake and Synthetic – Ceramics, bone, celluloid and plastic are used to imitate turquoise. Synthetic turquoise has a very natural matrix that is produced by placing stones in the synthetic “batter”.

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Imatations - Then there are the imatations, in many cases natural gemstones that are beautiful in their own right, but due to the fact they accept dyes, many times are dyed the various turquoise colors and then are sold by unscrupulous dealers as real Turquoise. Price becomes the real determining factor when it comes to seperating real Turquoise from dyed Howlite, Magnesite or Ivoryite.

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Black Agate (Onyx) which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx. Onyx is a crypyocrystalline form of Quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). A picture of a true Black Onyx specimum is seen at the left. True specimens of Onyx contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown. As stated, the pure black form which most people know as Onyx, is not a naturally occuring variety. Black Agate or poorly colored Onyx is heated and dyed black to come up with the pure black form so well liked within the jewelry industry.

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Amber - The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of Amber, called Baltic amber, with about 80% of the world's known amber found there. It dates back some 44 million years ago. It has been estimated that these forests created over 105 tons of amber. Because Baltic amber contains about 8% succinic acid, it is also termed succinite. It was thought since the 1850s that the resin that became Amber was produced by the tree Pinites succinifer, but research in the 1980's came to the conclusion that the resin originates from several species. Numerous extinct genera and species of plants and animals have been discovered and scientifically described from inclusions in Baltic Amber. Do NOT confuse Amber with Copal. Copal is not the fossilized, but rather an immature recent resin. Increasingly, Copal is being offered for sale, via the online auction services, gem shows, and shops, misrepresented as "Amber." The commercial value of Amber is related to its scarcity, age, inclusions of extinct species, and durability. Unfortunately, some dealers are more preoccupied with high economic returns, rather than whether or not their resin is fossil or recent. The age of Copal can vary from 50 years to 1.6 million years in age. It can be considered a semi-fossilized resin or an immature amber.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How, who found it in Tick Canyon, California in 1868. Howlite is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Black and Blue !

Very simple and little discussion needed when it comes to this Black and Blue design.
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This very simple design uses only Turquoise, Howlite, Black Agate (Onyx) and Silver beads to obtain a total look. Turquoise colored Howlite free form mini-slabs highlight this necklace that has several sizes of Black Agate (Onyx) rounds, stabilized Turquoise rounds and silver plated barrels. French hook earrings containing stabilized Turquoise, Black Agate (Onyx) rounds and silver round beads complete the set.
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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.
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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.

Black Agate (Onyx) which is truely a died black Agate, is more common and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as natural Onyx. Onyx is a crypyocrystalline form of Quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). A picture of a true Black Onyx specimum is seen at the left. True specimens of Onyx contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown. As stated, the pure black form which most people know as Onyx, is not a naturally occuring variety. Black Agate or poorly colored Onyx is heated and dyed black to come up with the pure black form so well liked within the jewelry industry.
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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - A Woody Look ? Yes, Maybe and No !

Although not really wood, and not even what is called 'Wood Jasper', in small sizes this particular Jasper can many times pass for pieces of wood. It was well liked and used often along with Petrified Wood, since both were readily available all over western America, and even more widespread today.

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In an attempt to keep prices a bit lower, this design incorporates turquoise colored Howlite free form nuggets and chips along with spikes of Picture Jasper. A lobster clasp with an extender completes the necklace. French hook earrings of Picture Jasper rounds and turquoise colored Howlite chips make up the matching earrings to complete the set.

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Picture Jasper - Jasper, a form of chalcedony. It is an opaque impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color. Blue is rare. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals and in jewelry. Picture Jaspers, just one of many varieties, exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), dendritic or color variations) resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut sections. Wood Jasper, another variety, not only offers natural wood texture but also the feel of natural stone. Wood jasper combines natural beauty of both wood and stone. Although similar, Wood Jasper does not produce the pictures Picture Jasper is noted for when sliced.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry Howl is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.

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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - a substitute for Turquoise

For ages, due to the high price of certain gemstones, cheaper substitutes have been used to provide a like end result. Howlite, colored as turquoise is one such substitute. You cannot call Howlite a fake however, because it is a real gemstone in its own right. It just so happens that when colored blue, blue-green or green that many times it mimics real Turquoise, right down to the veining. Just watch out for sellers who do not advertise the fact that they are selling this turquoise colored Howlite, and not real Turquoise.
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This necklace set combines turquoise colored Howlite half-moon beads, red colored Howlite rounds, Carnelian barrels and stabilized Arizona Turquoise discs. A 3 inch antique copper extender combines with a lobster clasp for closure. French hook dangle earrings complete the set.
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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How is one of those minerals that is more famous for imitating another mineral than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray, it can accept dyes fairly easily and be dyed a turquoise blue. The look of turquoise is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful at this hoax. In more honest circumstances, dyed howlite is an affordable substitute for turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colored Howlite is dyed, it also can become a very bright red color to mimic red coral, or any other color in the rainbow.
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Stabilized turquoise - Turquoise that is soft or normally referred to as "chalk" Turquoise is infused with a clear epoxy resin. This resin, under pressure, is absorbed into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural Turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized Turquoise are permanent. Most of the Turquoise on the market today is stabilized and should not cost as much as natural Turquoise. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. Because of it's hardness and consistant color, stabilized Turquoise wears much better in Jewelry.
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Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to Carnelian is Sard, which is generally harder and darker. The difference between the two is not rigidly defined, and thus the two names are often used interchangeably. Both Carnelian and Sard are varieties of the silica mineral called Chalcedony and are colored red by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration.
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GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Howlite, what color do you Want ?

Bright and vivid colors. What we have here is Howlite, a white or ivory natural colored gemstone that is pretty in its natural coloration, but can be dyed every color in the rainbow and thus can immitate other gemstones, a main one being Turquoise.

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This particular necklace set uses the natural white Howlite in half-moon and rounds, along with turquoise colored Howlite half-moons and rounds and finished with red colored Howlite rounds. A silver 2 inch extender and Lobster clasp complete the set. Silver French Hook dangle earrings with white and turquoise Howlite colored half-moons and red Howlite colored rounds finish up the set.

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Howlite, named for its discoverer Henry How is one of those gemstone that is more famous for imitating another gemstone than being used for itself. In most cases the other mineral is Turquoise, a phosphate gemstone. Although natural Howlite is always white or gray and many times has various darker matrixes within in structure, it can accept dyes fairly easily and is most times dyed various shades of turquoise blues. The look of turquoise colored Howlite is so good that dishonest dealers have been unfortunately successful in this hoax for many years and it has gotten worse in the past few years. In more honest circumstances, dyed Howlite is an affordable substitute for Turquoise carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons. It accepts a nice polish and its porcelaneous luster is attractive and enhances even undyed beads and carvings. Unfortunately it has low hardness, but it still has a distinct toughness. California is the source for most all of the Howlite trade where nodules of up to one hundred pounds have been found. In addition to the famous turquoise colors that Howlite is normally dyed, it also can become every and any color one can think of. The matrix in the natural Howlite, as seen at the right, makes for a very interesting gemstone to use.

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Arizona & New Mexico "Turquoise" !

New Mexico designated Turquoise as the official state gem in 1967. Turquoise was designated as the official gemstone of Arizona in 1974. Probably one of the oldest gemstones known, Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral. Until the 20th Century only the prized robin's egg blue color was used to make gemstones and be placed in jewelry. The majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from western and southwestern United States, the largest producer of turquoise in the world, surpassing the famous blue Turquoise of Persia. Turquoise has been used extensively by both southwestern U.S. Native Americans and by many of the Indian tribes in Mexico since about 200 B.C. to make solid turquoise beads, carvings, and inlaid mosaics. Turquoise, especially the robin's egg blue gemstone worn by Pharaohs and Aztec Kings, is probably one of the oldest gemstones known to man. Nearly all important deposits of Turquoise are located near copper deposits in arid desert regions of the world.

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Until the 1920's, New Mexico was the United States largest producer of Turquoise. However, since then Arizona and Nevada have surpassed New Mexico in terms of both annual and total production. Production of Turquoise from deposits in the Cerrillos Hills, Santa Fe County (the oldest known Turquoise mine on the North American Continent goes back 2000 years) ; the Burro Mountains and Little Hachita Mountains, Grant County; the Jarilla Hills, Otero County; and the Guadelupe Mountains, Eddy County; can be traced to prehistoric Indians. Several different mines have operated at each of the New Mexico locations mentioned, producing seam and nugget turquoise. Many of the more famous and higher-quality deposits are now economically depleted. Turquoise can still be found in New Mexico, but production in any significant quantity is a question of economics and the determination of the individuals involved.

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Most of Arizona’s turquoise mines are actually large open pit copper mines in which the turquoise deposits are leased. Many of the Turquoise deposits are located on Indian Reservations, and access is controlled by the reservation. The Bisbee mine "the Lavender Pit", near Bisbee, Arizona, is one of the more famous. Castle Dome was active in the 1970s. The Ithaca Peak mine is located in northwestern Arizona above the Kingman mine, and is famous for its beautiful blue with Pyrite matrix. Morenci Turquoise is mined in southeastern Arizona. It is high to light blue in color. Morenci has an unusual matrix of irregular black pyrite that, when polished, often looks like silver. The Sleeping Beauty mine is located near Globe, Arizona. Its Turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix, which set the world standard after the Persian material. This mine is one of the largest in North America and is still operating. Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye" Turquoise come from the same mine in northwestern Arizona near the Kingman mine. This mine was closed in the 1980s. Cave Creek Mine is a new mining operation, near Cave Creek, Arizona. The material is medium to dark blue in color and has an "old Kingman" or Morenci look to it, alot of times with Pyrite in it. Most times, the company or person with a lease for a particular Turquoise location is called in to mine the Turquoise when a pocket is hit as the copper mining takes place. Regardless of the size or the sophistication of the initial copper mining or recovery operation, the actual Turquoise is recovered by careful extraction using age old hand methods.

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Turquoise and Turquoise Jewelry worldwide has surged in and out of fashion like a strobe light, yet never really losing its popularity, just being more popular at certain times than at others. Currently Turquoise popularity is on a rise and high note in the fashion world. From as far back as 6,000 B.C., Turquoise has been mined, traded, and revered by ancient cultures in Egypt, Persia, Turkey, and China as well as in the New World, by the Aztecs, Incas, and tribes of the American southwest and Mexico. Turquoise comes in a variety of colors, from all shades of blue to all shades of green, although rare, even yellow, red, brown and white. But one must be very careful when purchasing Turquoise, especially colors other than blue as many times what is offered is actually dyed Howlite, Magnesite or Ivoryite. Even actual Turquoise can be stabilized, or reconstituted. Also plastics and other newer resin materials can be made to look like Turquoise. Price is usually the determining factor as to real verses fake, stabilized or reconstituted Turquoise, or if it is colored Howlite. The picture to the left above is of Howlite, but yes there is a White Turquoise found only in Arizona, known to the Indians as "Sacred White Buffalo Turquoise". Most white Turquoise sold as "White Buffalo" Turquoise is actually either Howlite or Magnesite.

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TURQUOISE !

In response to e-mails, yes got more and some different types of Turquoise at Tucson this year. Currently am busy creating some different designs and mixing the Turquoise with new and different types of gemstones, plus have found in many cases Copper looks much better than the old stand-by Silver for the accents and clasps.

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Here are some new designs that will soon appear on the Web-site.

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And here are the last containing Turquoise that are left from last year.
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Set GS184 --- Set GS177

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