What are the different types of Altered turquoise?
Introduction: Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral with a chemical formula that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades, and its unique hue has made it valuable as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years.
Turquoise that has been treated or processed in some way to improve its appearance, color, or stability is referred to as altered turquoise They are genuine turquoise beads. Stabilizing the turquoise to make it less porous and less prone to cracking, dying the turquoise to enhance its color, or treating. It with a resin or wax to improve its luster are examples. Altered turquoise is common in the gemstone and jewelry industries, producing more visually appealing and long-lasting turquoise products.
What is the purpose of stabilizing turquoise?
Turquoise is a relatively soft, precious and swmi precious gemstone that can vary greatly in quality. Only higher-grade natural turquoise is dense enough to be cut and shaped without causing damage to the stone. Softer, lower-grade turquoise must be treated in some way before it can be used in jewelry. The resulting turquoise is much stronger and easier for a jeweler to cut, polish, and set without breaking. Stabilized turquoise is less expensive than natural turquoise and can be produced in large quantities.
What are the various kinds of altered turquoise?
- Stabilized or enhanced: An epoxy or a plastic filler is applied to the stone under pressure. If the stone has natural holes or pits, it can be filled with epoxy to create a smoother surface area. Some stabilized turquoise has been colored.
- Reconstituted or Chalk: Turquoise fragments are crushed into a powder and mixed with epoxy to create harder blocks that can be cut into slabs or stone shapes. We do not sell or recommend the purchase of reconstituted or chalk turquoise.
- Imitation or block: A synthetic material (dyed plastic) or the manipulation of another stone (such as Howlite) that is made to look like turquoise but contains no actual turquoise stone. We do not sell or recommend the purchase of block or imitation turquoise.
What causes price differences between turquoise mines?
Natural turquoise is valued based on hardness, appearance, and rarity. “Gem grade” turquoise stones are the hardest. The color and matrix will vary greatly between mines, so appearance is a personal preference. Darker color and a tighter matrix are generally regarded as desirable characteristics. The rarity of turquoise refers to how much a mine produced and how much is still available for use.
Prices of altered turquoise
The cost of altered turquoise beads wholesale varies greatly depending on various factors, including the quality of the turquoise used, the extent of the alterations, and the demand for the specific type of altered turquoise. Alternate turquoise is frequently less expensive than natural, untreated turquoise, but this is not always the case. Because of their improved appearance and durability, some types of altered turquoise, such as highly stabilized and treated turquoise, may command higher prices. Finally, the price of altered turquoise will determine by the specific product and market demand.
Conclusion
Altered turquoise is a popular technique and semi precious beads for jewelery making in the industries for improving turquoise’s appearance, color, and stability. While some purists prefer natural, untreated turquoise, altered turquoise can provide consumers with more options and is often more affordable. However, it is critical to be aware of the specific treatments used on turquoise and to consider the impact these treatments may have on the gemstone‘s value and durability .
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