Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
In the American Southwest, turquoise is a highly prized gemstone with great cultural significance. Author Joe Dan Lowry is recognized worldwide as a leading expert and describes the fascinating history of turquoise mining in the American Southwest and reveals an astonishing variety of colors and forms that make this gemstone like no other.
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Rio Nuevo Publishers; Original edition (November 15, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1887896333
ISBN-13: 978-1887896337
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.3 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #136,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #18 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry #56 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals #131 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry & Beadwork > Jewelry
This compact little book is jammed solid with luscious pictures of tuquoise and to-the-point information. The topics discussed range from the technique of inlays to the various methods turquoise is altered on the modern market - from 'stabilizing' to 'color enhancing'.The heart of the book, which is sure to captivate rock hounds and bead/jewelry designers (I fall into both camps) is the pictorial review of the major American mines. You'll be able to see at a glance the difference between the pale greens of King Manassas and the blackberry-like beauty of Lander Blue.Oh, and if you're planning a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, the author's Turquoise Museum is probably the best-kept tourist secret around. Highly recommended.
I have been a gem and mineral dealer for over ten years...and a rockhound for a lot longer than that...but this book taught me more in a single sitting than all my years in the buisiness and in the hobby.I have dug, traded, bought and sold a whole bunch of "Turq"...natural, treated and "color-shot"...and this book instantly became my favorite reference for the rest of my life.If you are planning on investing in real American or Persian turquoise jewelry or stones...and it is an investment...then this book is a "Must Have!"No sooner did I put this book down than I called up one of my suppliers and bought all of the Blue Gem and Turquoise Mountain stones they had left in stock...I am sure they are wondering what precipitated that call!My many thanks to the Lowry family for their labor of love...from the "Turq" Museum to this book...and I hope we cross paths real soon.
"Turquoise Unearthed" in a brief but thorough introduction to turquoise that would be suitable for anyone interested in turquoise and turquoise jewellery. Although only 74 pages in length, this book is packed full of information, including a history of turquoise, advice on purchasing turquoise, and a guide to the different turquoise mines in the American South-West. There are colour pictures throughout the book, including colour photographs of the turquoise you would find in each of the mines (yes, turquoise does differ between mines); a recommended reading list at the end; and most importantly, it actually has an index. The only thing that could have made this book better would be some sort of pricing guide. Nevertheless, this is still an excellent book and well worth the money I paid.
This book is a treasure trove of information on the legendary sacred stone of the Southwest. If you're interested in authentic turquoise jewelry, this could help you make an informed purchase.The photography is up-close and vivid and is used very effectively to make points and educate the reader.Content covers the varying hues of turquoise and their significance – and what makes turquoise considered "treated" as opposed to natural and gemstone grade. The authors explain the processes behind reconstituted, stabilized, enhanced, waxed or oiled turquoise and imitation turquoise.There are great descriptions of the output of the classic Southwest mines – with photos of their signature gemstones. There are also photos of Chinese turquoise, so you can see how easy it is to buy Chinese when what you want is Southwestern.There are discussions of turquoise with matrix – intrusions from the host rock that create desirable patterns like the sought-after spider web matrix.I was fascinated to learn that mine and matrix matter more than color in the value of turquoise.Of all the books on turquoise I’ve read,I found this one by far the most useful.
If you are a lover of turquoise jewelry, this book is a must. Before you waste money buying reconstituted, stablized or totally 'fake turquoise'...learn about the stone and how it is processed. Also the book is cheaper on than from the author's museum website.
It seems to me that it's rather hard to find good information about turquoise, even if sought in person with folks who know it well. And there aren't too many books on turquoise either. This one looked the best, but I was a little disappointed with the brief content. The pictures are beautiful. There are some nice descriptions of the most famous mines. The book also contains some brief, but helpful information about the formation of turquoise, but the one thing it doesn't really do is help the beginner to learn to identify types of turquoise on their own, which really would be helpful. It's like turquoise identification is a SECRET. I so wish this author would write a second book with more in-depth identification information.
Turquoise Unearthed is a well written, very useful guide to this most attractive of minerals. The organization by site or mine is helpful to those with Native American jewelry from different sources. This reader found a number of long standing interests and questions satisfied. A small volume, but a "keeper".
Joe Dan Lowry is internationally known for his expertise in the field of turquoise. This Guide, written by him and his father, is small enough to be carried along when searching antique stores and galleries for turquoise purchases. The book is very helpful in describing the various grades of the major kinds of turquoise and the variables to be looked for when judging whether to buy a particular piece. In the end, of course, the authors suggest that you buy what "speaks" to you, but it doesn't hurt to know the indicators of quality since quality is related to the price you should pay. The Guide also describes treated and fake turquoise and cautions to "get it in writing" to protect from misrepresentations. The Guide is well illustrated and manages in so small a volume to provide some of the history of the use of turquoise in various mediums. There is a lot of information crammed into this little book. I find this Guide useful as I continue to become an informed turquoise shopper. You will, too.
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