Buying Turquoise

By Anita of Deerwoman Designs

Part I

Turquoise has always been a much desired stone. Its history is long, dating back to about 7000 BC, and mined in areas all over the world. At the end of this article is a brief internet bibliography that gives some of the history and significance. I am not a turquoise expert, but what I have observed about turquoise should be useful to those who are buying turquoise jewelry and would like to know more about it.

In today's fashion it is in and out every several years, and the best time to buy higher end turquoise of course is when it is less in favor.

But what are we buying? The buying challenge is even greater now than it used to be as there are more imitations out there and clever ways to make them appear more like the real thing.

The golden rules are quite simple.

Let price and your own judgment guide you when you are buying from retail stores, department stores, discount jewelry outlets and the like. In most cases they will not have much, if any information on the turquoise. But you can always ask.

Ask the vendor for specific information on origin and treatments. Reputable vendors will tell you what they know about it. They should tell you if it is from a specific mine, the Southwest, China, Tibet or otherwise and what has been done to it.

You may find that they don't know. A lot can be learned from its price. If it is very expensive, make sure you are buying from a reputable dealer. Natural, untreated turquoise of good color and size is rare and jewelry made from it is beyond the budget of most of us. In most cases the natural turquoise will have its mine or region included in its description.