Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide [Paperback]

Joe Dan Lowry (Author), Joe P. Lowry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Dan Lowry's family has been at the center of the turquoise trade for three generations. He owns and operates the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which boasts the most extensive collection of turquoise in the world.

Joe P. Lowry and Joe Dan Lowry operate the Turquoise Museum and are recognized worldwide for their expertise.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Rio Nuevo; Original edition (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887896333
• ISBN-13: 978-1887896337
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Rocks & Minerals
  • #60 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Jewelry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for turquoise lovers..., November 7, 2005

By 

Michael Bellomo "mbellomo" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Paperback)

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.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who THINK they know everything about Turquoise..., March 27, 2007

By 

Chuck "Dusty" Rose (Coastal South & Barrier Islands) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Paperback)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A excellent introduction to turquoise, January 24, 2008

By 

Genevieve Hayes (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Paperback)

"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.