The Allure of Turquoise

by David Gomez, Marc Simmons, Jon Bowman

When the New Mexico Legislature adopted turquoise as the state gem in 1967, it officially acknowledged the importance of "the sky blue stone" in the culture and history of the Southwest. This useful... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0937206407
• ISBN13: 9780937206409
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Length: 79 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.9" x 11.9"

Customer Reviews

For those who THINK that they know everything about Turquoise...

This is the same review I gave to "Turquoise Unearthed"...and for all intents and purposes, they could be classified as companion volumes...both doing an exceptional job in words and images! "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 one of my favorite references 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 Mr. Vigil for his labor of love, a compilation of articles from New Mexico Magazine...on everything from the Lowry "Turq" Museum...to the history and significance of the Cerrillos Mines...to the myth of "Old Pawn" jewelry...and much, much more!

Beautiful Photos

This was a birthday gift for my husband. He loved it. He said it was the perfect present since he loves turquoise and making turquoise jewelry. It even arrived on time, gift wrapped. If you love turquoise, the color pictures are worth it. The content is very good too, my husbands states.

Superb

This is a wonderful in-depth examination of turquoise and its makers. It is somewhat scientific in the portion about the formation of the stone. There are terrific photographs and lots of information about the handling of turqoise and the art that turns it into expensive jewelry! Recommended for the turqoise lover.

Chapters mix history and cultural and geologic insights with tips on locating authentic pieces, valu

One of New Mexico's symbols is turquoise, so it's fitting that a discussion of jewel would come from New Mexico Magazine's publishing arm. Any who wish to learn about the stone must have The Allure Of Turquoise: it appears in its second updated edition to pack color photos on every page with discussions ranging from the history of turquoise in both jewelry and Native American circles to issues surrounding its sale, authenticity and preservation. Chapters mix history and cultural and geologic insights with tips on locating authentic pieces, valuation and more: turquoise collectors will find this essential.