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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on Aug 3, 2011 1:46:56 GMT -5
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Post by connrock on Aug 3, 2011 6:59:14 GMT -5
Well I think the world can live without turquoise beads,,,ESPECIALLY from China!
connrock
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rockdude
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 187
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Post by rockdude on Aug 3, 2011 7:09:46 GMT -5
Yup. I used to make a lot of turquoise and silver stuff, all with stones from the southwest USA. Most Chinese turq I've seen for sale is suspect, stabilized at the least...all the way to totally fake sold as genuine. I have used Fire Mtn in the past but be warned almost everything they have that's affordable is of a lower quality, like buying factory seconds for #1 prices. It sounds like I'm just being "Mr negative" but really I'm just saying "buyer beware"!
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Post by Toad on Aug 3, 2011 8:40:23 GMT -5
Their mines or their factories are shutting down??? ;D
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Aug 3, 2011 12:46:15 GMT -5
Turquoise is very tricky and there is much imitation on the market. The Chinese seem to have no Quality Control and Buyer beware is appropriate.
When I was in Santa Fe just watching Sunday Football in a bar near the central square, lots of sellers coming in with turquoise but what is genuine and what is imitation? A local was giving me lessons but I wasn't sure he knew what he was talking about.
Died howlite is a common substitute and blue plastic is a common substitute
charlie
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 4, 2011 2:02:25 GMT -5
I agree with Charlie, I think most of the Chinese "turquoise" is just dyed howlite... whack it with a hammer and it's white inside.
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