Customer Reviews

Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 OFFERS ALL THE INFORMATION YOU WILL EVER NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TURQUOISE. I LOVE BROWSING THROUGH IT AND KEEP IT ON MY COFFEE TABLE. ANYONE WHO HAS A LOVE OR DESIRES A KNOWLEDGE OF TURQUOISE WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK. A MUST FOR THE COLLECTOR!! YOU WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A PIECE OF TURQUOISE WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM.

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 Amazon than from the author's museum website.

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".

This book has helped me to identify several pieces I have that I have
been wondering about. It has helped me to be able to differentiate
between the real thing and the fake.

I would highly reccomend that anyone who plans to buy or be interested
in increasing their knowledge of Turquoise read Turquoise Unearthed by
Joe Dan Lowry and Joe P. Lowry and also attend a Lecture by Joe Dan Lowry
at The Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque N.M. if possible

I thought there would be photos showing what types of turquoise came from the most notable mines. Pictures and descriptions that detail the color and matrix one might find at any given mine. Really not all that suited for identification purposes.

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.