topic First turquoise purchase, need advice please in Jewelry

First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Jeannie29 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:38:57 GMT

I ordered the JAI John Hardy turquoise toggle bracelet from the super Saturday sale. I actually ordered it on the Friday before and the status changed to back order a couple days later and just arrived yesterday. Most of the stones are very similar in color, however there is one very light blue stone directly in the center and probably 4-5 VERY green stones. It is very pretty but when I look at it, my eyes keep going to the mismatched stones. Since this is my first turquoise purchase so I am not sure if this is the norm, or should the stones be more closely matched? I am also feeling a little guilty for thinking of sending it back since it is for charity. Any advice is appreciated!

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Kachina624 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:48:22 GMT

It just depends on the design and style of the bracelet, Jeannie. Because of the variety of color and matrix in turquoise, it's sometimes hard to exactly match the stones. If they are without matrix, they usually match. Is it possible for you to post a picture or item number? Sometimes I wonder if the donors of that merchandise don't give flawed items that they want to get rid of. I've heard other reports from dissatisfied customers.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

kivah — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:52:36 GMT

If it bothers you, send it back.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Kachina624 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:01:54 GMT

Is this your bracelet? In this particular style it's not unusual to have a variety of colors as it's not refined or dressy. If you go to the Carolyn Pollack threads, you'll find one titled, "How do we know the mine is closed". If you'll page through it, toward the end, a poster has shared a photo of a necklace with a variety of colors and sizes of beads, sort of a sampler, similar to your bracelet.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Jeannie29 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:09:09 GMT

That is my bracelet! It is very pretty and I like it very much. I just wasn't sure what to expect since I never purchased turquoise before and I appreciate your helpful information!

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

cooking lady — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:37:55 GMT

I think it's beautiful but if it bothers you - you probably should send it back - I never mind the colors not matching myself - but some people do - it's really a personal decision -

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Jeannie29 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:54:00 GMT

Thank you for suggesting the other thread. There are some beautiful pieces pictured there. I think I will keep the bracelet. I was worried that it was, well defective is not the right word, but not as it should be. I keep taking it out of its little box and looking at it and am more enamored with it each time.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Haca — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 04:37:16 GMT

On 8/11/2014 Jeannie29 said: Thank you for suggesting the other thread. There are some beautiful pieces pictured there. I think I will keep the bracelet. I was worried that it was, well defective is not the right word, but not as it should be. I keep taking it out of its little box and looking at it and am more enamored with it each time.

Jeannie, it is very pretty. I am glad you are keeping it! Enjoy!

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Kachina624 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 04:45:47 GMT

On 8/11/2014 Jeannie29 said: Thank you for suggesting the other thread. There are some beautiful pieces pictured there. I think I will keep the bracelet. I was worried that it was, well defective is not the right word, but not as it should be. I keep taking it out of its little box and looking at it and am more enamored with it each time.

Aha, you're falling under the spell! It certainly has a beautiful clasp.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

corvette mary — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 11:51:44 GMT

I sold turquoise back in the day when you could actually get the "good stuff"...needless to say I have a large collection. I for one do not like sleeping beauty because IMO it has no character. I like the mismatched stones w/matrix, my fav is Kingman. Perfectly matched matrix free to me looks plastic. Its your money buy what you like.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

violann — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:30:08 GMT

I definitely prefer the type of stones that you have OP. I find that perfectly matched turquoise stone with no matrix look artificial and plastic-y to my eye. Other posters prefer them. My DH purchased the 2010 Super Saturday necklace for a special event in my life, and it contains "all the colors of the sea". At least one purchaser returned hers (as I remember) or threatened to, because of the multiple shades of blue and green. Oops, apparently corvette mary and I were functioning on exactly the same wave length!!

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

Kachina624 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:43:47 GMT

Mary and Violann, I've been singing your song for years on the boards. I adore turquoise with matrix, the more the better. When I was very young, I too, looked for the clear stones. I think a person's taste in turquoise evolves over time and with experience until they acquire an appreciation for matrix. Unfortunately good quality turquoise is becoming as scarce as SB is supposed to be and prices are skyrocketing. There is plenty in the ground but all the licenses and EPA regs make it impractical and expensive to mine.

My favorite is Morenci. When they closed that mine, they back filled it with tons of dirt and rock then put some caustic substance on it to deliberately destroy the turquoise. I want to cry every time I think of it.

Please feel free to join our turquoise discussions and post some pics of your goodies.

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

LTT1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:45:26 GMT

On 8/11/2014 kachina624 said:
Is this your bracelet? In this particular style it's not unusual to have a variety of colors as it's not refined or dressy. If you go to the Carolyn Pollack threads, you'll find one titled, "How do we know the mine is closed". If you'll page through it, toward the end, a poster has shared a photo of a necklace with a variety of colors and sizes of beads, sort of a sampler, similar to your bracelet.

This is really pretty.... oooo! Love that clasp!

Re: First turquoise purchase, need advice please

cooking lady — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:47:13 GMT

Whenever I can I buy turquoise that is highly matrix'd on Ebay because that is pretty much the only place I can find it - have gotten some beautiful Royston, Manassa, and even Kingman that way - love the matrix - as others have said - it has a lot more character -- not to say I don't own some SB though - I love the pieces I have - but really prefer the matrix!! Again - "love what you buy and buy what you love"!!