Jewelry

[gertrudecloset]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

The GIA says turquoise is judged based on color, texture and matrix presence or not. There is no 'grading system' such as AAA as seen for other gems. It's the only gem which doesn't have a traditional grading system.

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OK, so that is sort of a grade if other colors not as desireable.  It's just not an official "grading system."  judging something by it's appearance and choosing it because of something it has or lacks isn't grading.  Now it might not be based on the true schematic of what gem graders do, but it sure sounds like the most expensive colors are robin's egg blue.  I don't care for it if it's set in gold.

Saying which one is highly prized and which is not ~ is not grading it, just an informal way of saying which one costs more?

@SilleeMee @Kachina624 ?  Help me understand this...

[gertrudecloset]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@gertrudecloset    By the way, I've been to Durango Silver, have shopped there.  It's far from be the #1 source of turquoise.  They might think so but few, if any, experts would agree.

The most prized turquoise mined in the US is considered to be Lander Blue.  I started a thread about it a few months ago.  You might look it up.  Persian turquoise is often considered the finest in the world although the mines have been closed for political reasons and may never open again. 

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@Kachina624 Got it!  Yeah, that was prominent source when I searched for turquoise.  They must know what they are doing at this silver place.

Can you tell me if your silver has sterling in it?  

[Kachina624]

@gertrudecloset   Two of the largest active operations in the US, the Kingman and Royston Mines, take out rough of all hardnesses, colors and matrix patterns.  They, for their own purposes, may grade their output but it's strickly unofficial.  All turquoise is going to be some shade of blue or bluish green, no purple, red, or yellow (dyed), because to be turquoise, it must contain copper and copper is blue.  It is most commonly mined as a by-product of copper mining. 

Some naturally contains iron pyrite that looks like gold but the Kingman Mine has created a product using their scrap stone, where metallic elements are infused into the stone by way of a process done in China. It's very obvious when you see it. 

[gertrudecloset]

Hey @Kachina624 There is a Turquoise Museum.  I just read a source that says it doesn't have an official grading system, but a combination that they've put together over the years.

Unlike other gemstones, turquoise does not have a single grading system. The most well-known tradition used to grade turquoise is the Persian Method, which defines the best grade as a stone with perfect clarity and the deepest blue color.  The American Method, defines the best grade of turquoise as one from one of the most famous and rare mine sources, with the deepest blue color and spider web matrix.  As the trade of turquoise has developed into a global market, these two methods along with other regional traditions of grading turquoise have competed for acceptance on the world stage. By combining the Persian and American methods, a turquoise collector can define and grade the rarity of most turquoise.  

Have you been to this museum @Kachina624 ?

Turquoise Grading Systems - Turquoise Museum

400 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

[Kachina624]

@gertrudecloset    Yes, I've been there several times.  It's right on the edge of the Albuquerque Old Town shopping area.  The owner has written a nice book on turquoise which I also have. 

[Kachina624]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@SilleeMee wrote:

The GIA says turquoise is judged based on color, texture and matrix presence or not. There is no 'grading system' such as AAA as seen for other gems. It's the only gem which doesn't have a traditional grading system.

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OK, so that is sort of a grade if other colors not as desireable.  It's just not an official "grading system."  judging something by it's appearance and choosing it because of something it has or lacks isn't grading.  Now it might not be based on the true schematic of what gem graders do, but it sure sounds like the most expensive colors are robin's egg blue.  I don't care for it if it's set in gold.

Saying which one is highly prized and which is not ~ is not grading it, just an informal way of saying which one costs more?

@SilleeMee @Kachina624 ?  Help me understand this...

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@gertrudecloset    All colors of turquoise are equally desirable.  Some people prefer blue, some green some stones will combine the two.  There is one, Carico Lake which is very yellow green.  I don't care for it at all.  It's strickly a matter of personal preference.  The matrix color and pattern I think is more important than the color of the stone.  It's what gives the stone "character and personality".  Forget about grading as in reality it doesn't exist.  You'll never see a Navajo sell a beautiful piece of jewelry and claim the stone is AAA.  He would be laughed off the reservation.

Here's one of mine that is blue and green but has great matrix.  Not crazy about the ring, too busy. 

[Kachina624]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@gertrudecloset    By the way, I've been to Durango Silver, have shopped there.  It's far from be the #1 source of turquoise.  They might think so but few, if any, experts would agree.

The most prized turquoise mined in the US is considered to be Lander Blue.  I started a thread about it a few months ago.  You might look it up.  Persian turquoise is often considered the finest in the world although the mines have been closed for political reasons and may never open again. 

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@Kachina624 Got it!  Yeah, that was prominent source when I searched for turquoise.  They must know what they are doing at this silver place.

Can you tell me if your silver has sterling in it?  

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@gertrudecloset    Durango Silver is a nice shop but things are very over-priced as Durango is a prominent tourist town in Southwest Colorado.  It's not unlike hundreds of similar shops in the Southwest.  Sterling means the silver contains a minimum of .925 parts of pure silver.  All decent turquoise is set in sterling. 

[SilleeMee]

@gertrudecloset 

It's objective, or judgemental and based on personal preference. Nothing is written in stone...pun intended!

[gertrudecloset]

The bead work around the stone is absolutely gorgeous.  Hand crafted silver is lovely. 

I didn't know there was a museum dedicated solely to turquoise @Kachina624 .  I have made it my business to go the the hall of gems at the Smithsonian Musuem in DC so many times.  Each time I got closer and closer to view the Hope Diamond and all the other specimens.

I was trying to get your thoughts on the difference between artisan crafted silver and sterling silver.  Is there a difference that you know of?  I'm asking because I have a lot of sterling silver and at one time wanted to sell it all.  No one would buy it because it was silver or they said something like it's not full silver.  This was about 8 years ago at the beginning of selling gold. 

[gertrudecloset]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@gertrudecloset    By the way, I've been to Durango Silver, have shopped there.  It's far from be the #1 source of turquoise.  They might think so but few, if any, experts would agree.

The most prized turquoise mined in the US is considered to be Lander Blue.  I started a thread about it a few months ago.  You might look it up.  Persian turquoise is often considered the finest in the world although the mines have been closed for political reasons and may never open again. 

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@Kachina624 Got it!  Yeah, that was prominent source when I searched for turquoise.  They must know what they are doing at this silver place.

Can you tell me if your silver has sterling in it?  

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@gertrudecloset    Durango Silver is a nice shop but things are very over-priced as Durango is a prominent tourist town in Southwest Colorado.  It's not unlike hundreds of similar shops in the Southwest.  Sterling means the silver contains a minimum of .925 parts of pure silver.  All decent turquoise is set in sterling. 

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@Kachina624You know they have to have a mark up!  Kind of reminds me of Judith Ripka stuff.  Put her work was kind of intricate.  I really love the handcrafted silver too.  Each piece would have it's own identity because it's not mass produced.