Treasure Hunting For Turquoise

Written By: admin - Nov• 28•10

Turquoise

How would you like to go find a beautiful gem that runs from a deep blue to a wonderful dark green, and you can sell to get a nice pile of the green paper?

Well if you’re interested in getting up to $500 per pound* for your finds, then hunting for Turquoise may be the adventure you’re looking for.

See some current prices on Turquoise here!

Warning, minor science content ahead…

If your more interested in finding turquoise then learning about it skip to the bottom of the page to see where you can go on a treasure hunting vacation to discover your own gem turquoise.

How is Turquoise Formed

How turquoise is formed is a very complicated question that is not fully understood. Some theories hold that turquoise is associated with hot upwellings of water from volcanic activity leaching out the proper chemicals from the rocks. Others hold that it is from water moving down through the rocks.

All agree on the fact that turquoise forms in country rock (that is the native stone to the area) that has concentrations of copper, aluminum, and various phosphate compounds. Over many hundreds of thousands of years various chemical processes lead to the formation of turquoise within cracks and voids in the stone.

How is Turquoise Valued

The value of turquoise is very dependent on not only the hardness and deepness of color, but also often on personal taste. Often colors between deep sky too robins egg blue are the most valuable colors, but some also look for green, and even white turquoise.

Overall turquoise is considered a soft material and the softer it is the less value it has. In some cases the deposits can range from quite hard to the consistency of chalk. The turquoise industry has come up with ways to make the softer turquoise more resilient to ware, but it is also an inferior product in some cases.

Obviously on a treasure hunting vacation you are looking for the hardest turquoise you can find. Not to worry though, the site that we have selected for you is well known not only for its wonderful color, but also for the hardness of the turquoise that you will find…

Often another variable in the value of turquoise is the amount of country rock that is included in it, as know as the matrix. Often the turquoise is formed around the matrix and once polished the matrix sticks out in lines or as nodules in the turquoise, this is referred to as a “spider matrix”.

For the most part spider matrix in the polished stone will not affect the value of your turquoise, as long as they add character and do not overtake the piece. Just keep in mind this is often a personal preference as compared to an analytic one, so depending on the buyer it may effect the value in their eyes.

Making Turquoise Look Better and Last Longer

Turquoise is often treated with many different substances to improve its appearance and durability. Some of the ways that this is done is much more accepted then others. These include the use of oils and waxes, all the way to pulverizing the very soft stone and then “reconstituting” it by using various glues to hold it together.

Turquoise is very often brittle and can be damaged by solvents, perfumes, and makeup. Also prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause its color to fade. So be sure you store your finds accordingly after your treasure-hunting vacation is over.

Waxing and Oiling of Turquoise

So how can you make your treasures look a little better? Well, after your stones are cut and/or polished you can do a light waxing and oiling. Both of these are generally accepted ways to enhance the color of turquoise.

Just a little bit of mineral oil will go a very long ways, so don’t over do it. Also the harder the stone is the less it will absorb.

Also a good buffing with a good bees wax will help to enhance the luster of your stones.

One thing that you do need to keep in mind is that turquoise that has been treated with oil and wax can be prone to sweating when placed under direct heat, also it can get a white haze on it if exposed to prolonged amounts of sunlight.

Backing Turquoise

Often since some of the best quality turquoise is found in thin sheets, another common practice when it is made into jewelry is to do what is called backing. This involves mounting the turquoise onto a solid piece of metal or other material that is bonded onto the backside of the stone to help stabilize the stone and thus prevent cracking or fracturing of the turquoise.

Where is Turquoise Found

Although there are many places around the world, and over 100 mines in Nevada alone that have gem quality turquoise available, there is currently only one that allows folks to enjoy a treasure hunting vacation to find there own turquoise.

And that is the…

Royston Turquoise Mine Tonopah, NV

*Please understand the fact that although some gems are sold at a price like that, the odds are very much against a person not directly in the mining business ever even seeing a gem of that quality. Treasure hunting vacations are not about getting rich, they are not about the treasure you find in the ground, they are about the treasure you find in searching for the beauty that nature has to offer, and the treasure of enjoying time with family and friends. Enjoy your trip for these things and you will have a treasure hunting vacation of a lifetime.