Turquoise, especially the natural turquoise that LFC is particular about , is formed under certain conditions over a long period of time, and is not a gemstone that can be mined anywhere. Mines where natural turquoise can be mined are scattered all over the world, and in America , natural turquoise has been a part of people's lives since the time of Native Americans.
In the turquoise market, stones are sometimes sold with the location of origin indicated . Even in Japan, some turquoise enthusiasts collect only stones mined from the same mine. In fact, there are many famous mines in the United States , and each mine produces its own unique color and matrix (pattern in the stone), so the place of origin is an important keyword in the valuation of turquoise.
Some of the more famous ones are Number Eight, Bisbee, and Morenci , all of which are names of mines that many people have probably heard of .
Knowing the exact origin is important information when it comes to understanding the qualities of turquoise , but it's also important to know that even if the origin is clear, whether it is natural or artificial turquoise is a different matter .
Bisbee is one of the most famous mines in Arizona, and this is artificial turquoise from Bisbee. The stone itself was mined in Bisbee, but it has been processed.
Turquoise takes many years to form, but not all of it is mined with a hardness that makes it suitable for setting in jewelry. Some turquoise is very hard, while others are chalky and have a low hardness. Of course, even if turquoise is mined from the same mine, it is not only the hardness that varies , but also the color, which is what makes turquoise born in nature so rare and appealing.
However, stones with low hardness are hardened by adding chemicals, and stones with insufficient color are artificially colored to give them a turquoise color . Of course, these are still beautiful turquoise, but they are different from the natural turquoise that LFC is particular about .
Morenci is a mine in the Shannon Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The turquoise used in this case is also mined in the same mine, but is later processed to add color.
At LFC, we are committed to using only natural (unaltered) turquoise of clearly defined origins , so our number one priority is to enable people to enjoy the color and matrix of each stone just as it was mined in its original place of origin .
Even if the color is less vibrant than artificially created turquoise , we want you to feel the romance of the blue that has formed naturally over a long period of time . For this reason , Joe Dan Lawrie, a leading expert on turquoise, is conducting the appraisal.
We believe that the unique characteristics of each producing area can be enjoyed even more because it is natural turquoise .
If you want to know more about turquoise, click here!
This is a unique book that allows you to learn about not only natural turquoise but also imitation turquoise. The section that shows turquoise from gem grade to low grade by mine is overwhelming.
