Re: Re: test & pics | |||||
Re: Re: test & pics -- nishedha | Post Reply | Edit | Forum | Where am I? |
Also check for cracks and defects in turquoise with your loupe. I wish I had round beads to show you as they can look quite different. But the general ideas are the same. As far as color, go by what you like. Some of my best turquoise looks "fake" because the color is so pretty. Usually the bead color will vary some or have subtle differences- but not always. The color will change over time too, as worn and mixed with skin oils, especially if natural.
The colors you picked are really pretty, and look natural- in fact yours would be a nice match with many expensive pendants and other beads. While always good to be skeptical- especially if expensive...generally go by what you like is the best advice I've read in this Forum.
MOHS Hardness of Iron Pyrite is 6-6.5
MOHS Hardness of Iron Oxide-Hematite is 5.5-6.5
MOHS Hardness of turquoise is 5-6. The finest is said to reach hardness of 6
MOHS Hardness of Howlite is 3.5
MOHS Hardness of Magnesite is 3.5-4.5/5
Examples: Vintage Chinese "Tibetan" Turquoise most from from Hubei mine, China, now closed.
EDIT: There is also turquoise from the American Southwest that has a dark iron based matrix (Lander Blue, Bisbee, #8, Morenci, and Red Mountain mines to name a few. The best turquoise from both China and the USA can be sometimes difficult to distinguish, and both are expensive these days. Good, hard, and well colored Chinese (and other) turquoise has gained respect and has been utilized in Native American Jewelry for many years now, especially the spiderweb and other matrix patterns that resemble the more expensive and difficult to find similar looking turquoise from the Southwestern USA and also Mexico. I am only showing dark matrix here.
|