I picked up a small lot of turquoise jewelry at a yard sale over the weekend. One piece I’ve been able to identify as Navajo made by the makers mark. This piece has no markings, and I am curious what others opinions are on whether or not it is genuine turquoise and, if it is, what the point of origin may be. If it is relevant, the other pieces in the lot were all 30s-50s era and this also appears to be aged.
I did acetone test the beads and I was not able to lift any dye from them, and the weight of the entire necklace was 49g. It is very shiny, so between that and the color I am a little suspicious but when you look at it closely there are what appear to be pyrite formations on the surface of the beads, as well as some inclusions. It is strung on thread, and the clasp has no marks. I’m invested a whopping 3$, so my feelings will not be hurt either way, I’m just curious! Thank you!
Welcome to Turquoise People! Pretty necklace. I have a very similar one that is Navajo made (I have the pawn ticket), so it’s possible yours is is also. The problem is without actual provenance we can’t say 100%. These types of necklaces generally do not have a hallmark although every once in awhile there will be one on the cones (mine has no hallmark, and has no silver cones -it’s tied together at the top).
If I had to guess I would say the stones are possibly Kingman turquoise due to the pyrite. I would also guess that they are stabilized plus possibly dyed, because they are such a bright blue. As far as age, I would think your necklace is not from the 40’s -50’s, partly because stabilization of turquoise didn’t start till the 50s. Other than that I don’t really have a estimate on age.
Hopefully some others with more expertise than I will join in!
Edit: I looked at my pawn ticket and it doesn’t actually say Navajo, but I’m pretty sure that’s what I was told by the seller when I bought it at Native American pawn jewelry sale at a Native American museum. A lot of these type necklaces are Kewa made (a pueblo tribe in NM).
You also asked if it was genuine turquoise, which I think it is. “Genuine” turquoise can be dyed and stabilized. When turquoise has no treatments done to it then it is referred to as “natural.” The stones in my necklace also appear to be stabilized and dyed. Not all stabilized turquoise is dyed, but when they’re this bright blue I assume that’s the case, but I don’t know 100%, because I didn’t think to ask that when I bought it.
Here is a screenshot from another thread for comparison.
And I want to add that I may be completely off on the stones being dyed. I just suspected it of my own necklace, because of the very bright blue (however really good natural stones can also be a bright blue, but I am sure that mine are not natural).
I believe the kind of dye treatment done with the stabilizing would not come off with the acetone test.
Yes, by “genuine” all I meant was actually turquoise and not dyed howlite or another reproduction of some kind. I could see it being dyed and stabilized. Thank you for the information! I will do some reading on the Kewa. I don’t know much about the Pueblo people, I have a lot to learn!
