What is the difference between stabilized and natural turquoise?
Turquoise is found in many semi-arid regions of the world. It has been a highly prized gemstone for thousands of years. All turquoise mines produce a wide range of quality and beauty. Only about 10% of the total turquoise production of any mine is the highest quality natural “high grade” (cost at $200 per pound and up). Another 30% to 40% is hard enough to use in good handmade jewelry. The bottom 50% of turquoise production (cost at $10 per pound) is soft, usually very light colored and not suitable for use in jewelry. However, by soaking this “chalk” (as it is called in the mining industry) in a clear casting resin (plastic), using heat and pressure, this material becomes more color intense and as hard as plastic. This is called stabilized or “treated”. Stabilized turquoise is widely used in Santa Domingo-made heishe, nuggets, and in the carving of Zuni fetishes. Since there is such a great difference in value between natural turquoise and stabilized turquoise, the use of stabilized s
