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Rock Art => Tumbling => Topic started by: Enigmatrix on May 14, 2018, 07:55:00 PM

Title: Tested Turquoise not sure it's a true
Post by: Enigmatrix on May 14, 2018, 07:55:00 PM

Hi I have bought 2 turquoises on the internet and tested them with my ameritool universal polisher with a 3000 grit I had just bought never used it before and never knew how it worked. I was sure they were false turquoise because they have white spots on them especially one and looks like dyed howlite. But when I dug a bit in the stone it was still turquoise. I'm not sure if it is a turquoise though.

Title: Re: Tested Turquoise it was a true one now how can I polish it?
Post by: Enigmatrix on May 14, 2018, 08:41:56 PM

Highlighted the spot where I polished with a plaque

Can a dremel be good to make small round repairs like this one https://picclick.co.uk/Engraver-Precision-Graver-Lapidary-Engraving-Kit-Stencils-For-162532124017.html?

If yes what dremel should I use and what tool such as this:
https://picclick.co.uk/206pc-Rotary-Drill-Hobby-Tool-Accessory-Sanding-Kit-291125923086.html
would be ok like the 3000 grit disk?

Thank you

Title: Re: Tested Turquoise it was a true one now how can I polish it?
Post by: PhilNM on May 15, 2018, 11:01:43 AM

need clearer pics. Looks like dyed magnesite.

Title: Re: Tested Turquoise it was a true one now how can I polish it?
Post by: Enigmatrix on June 13, 2018, 05:32:25 PM

I don't have a better camera but I could tell on two turquoises bought to the same seller on ebay there are a white spot on the one shown above and another one is a cabochon and there are big plaques of white. I believed it was true and that turquoise was forming near the white in nature sometimes because I polished it with a 3000 grit and dug a bit into both of them and the color stayed. But maybe the dye is just going deep. Do you think it can be a fake even so?

Title: Re: Tested Turquoise not sure it's a true
Post by: southerly on June 16, 2018, 11:12:03 PM

If your camera does not have a macro setting, photograph the rock as close as possible while maintaining focus. Also try and get the true colour, the hand in the photo is seriously colour saturated. Based on pic so far I agree with Phil that is looks dyed. A better pic would help.

David

Title: Re: Tested Turquoise not sure it's a true
Post by: 55fossil on June 17, 2018, 10:18:19 AM

   Maybe hold the camera further back and crop the picture. Macro would be great.  if you do not have Macro the further distance should let your camera focus better.