Clearing up the Turquoise Terms

Many people our surprised to learn that only about 3% of turquoise is hard enough in it's natural state to be used in jewelry.

Colbaugh Processing specializes in processing turquoise with various methods for use in jewelry and carvings. The following are various terms used to describe different stabilization and treatments used for turquoise. 

Natural Turquoise

Rough or cut material that has not been altered in any way. 

Stabilized Turquoise

Turquoise that has been impregnated with an optically clear acrylic or epoxy plastic, that brings out the natural color and hardens the stone so it can be cut and polished.

Treated Turquoise

Turquoise that has been impregnated with acrylic or epoxy plastic that has had dye or pigments added in order to alter the color.

Pressed Turquoise

Usually smaller turquoise nuggets that have been hydralically pressed together to form a square shape, then stabilized or treated.