turquoise cabs,rough turquoise

[Gringa Gems]

So, I'm just having the time of my life looking at all my old stuff around the house, lots of old low-quality stones bought on eBay in 2004 and 2005, and discovering that all my pretty little spinels have ADR, then today, I remember that many years ago I was given a little solid turquoise statuette by someone I didn't even know (I got dragged to her home by a friend).

Lately, I was even thinking of selling it to bring in some cash.

Ain't she cute?



She's a corn goddess. From the front, she holds a child, and from the back she is an ear of corn. She's about 6.5 cm high.



So, I get out my trusty BelOMO, and what do I see?

On closer inspection:



Another view of the "matrix" which is about 1.5 cm from top to bottom (click to enlarge):



Then, I noticed the white surrounding the blue, and suddenly it reminded me of some so-called "Persian" turquoise being hawked on eBay over the past few years (really ugly stuff to be calling itself Persian turquoise).



So, I increased the contrast and the intensity of the photo to show this:



It's a good thing I didn't try to sell this piece of work as natural turquoise!

[Coyotegems]

Hi Tenney,

what about it's characteristic(s) suggests simulated?
I should add that I don't know anything about turquoise- I've seen lots of it over the years and collected it near Tonapah, NV but have never studied it closely at all, or bought any.

Great pictures... what are we looking at that raises red flags?



David