Here is a cache of “raw” turquoise. How do i ID it or evaluate its value?
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As far as i can tell in most cases it is very hard, if not impossible, to get a solid id on turquoise. If folks don’t have provenance they usually call it something like “mixed mines” or “Southwest mines” or “Nevada mined” f.i. if they know the general area where the material was mined.
Prices are a bit over the place, if you can i would browse around a little in online groups to get a general impression.
ETA: old stock and natural always seems to be more in demand
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I feel some of them do have a Bisbee or Royston look, but @Bluegreen is very right, it’s really hard to tell w/o provenance.
Very surely it’s amazing turquoise. While … this has shown me that it’ so easy to get fooled:
If it’s been really cheap it can be anything, including good candy, as seen here
(while I do not think yours is 
)
And if it’s real, it might be really valuable.
Without good provenance, it’s merely an educated guessing game, and if sold shouldn’t be advertised as being from any particular mine. I wouldn’t even be sure it’s American. I’ve been confused by turquoise from Mexican mines. I will say I’m not seeing anything looking like Bisbee…
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I’m sure that Ziacat has 20 more years of experience, or more. I’m a real newbie, learning every day. I was thinking of those two to be Bisbee, but clearly that can be very wrong.
For me to learn, why are those two not Bisbee? Matrix not dark enough?
The matrix on the top one looks pretty light colored to me, but I don’t really have an exact answer, more just a gut guess. But also Bisbee is quite rare so the chances of it being in the mix I would imagine would also be rare. But of course I don’t know for sure what any of it is (are we even sure it’s all turquoise? The big stripey one in the middle gives me pause). I have seen some Whitewater Mexican turquoise that reminds me of a few of these, but wouldn’t be comfortable making any guess at all here.
Disclaimer: I’m not really saying it can’t be Bisbee - I’m just saying I don’t think it looks like it. None of us know for sure.
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Oh, I agree with you, fully.
That one especially, I would not call it turquoise, it looks like some chalcedony maybe. But I copy your disclaimer
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I would send the lot to a SW auction house. Those that use it will know and bid accordingly. I think I see some Royston.
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I also don’t think Bisbee. The big striped one looks like abalone to me. @StevesTrail has a good idea but I personally would put that big jar of turquoise on my shelf and just enjoy looking at it.
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Can’t say this batch looks like Bisbee turquoise to me, either. I’m guessing the striped rock may be a rough (raw) agate. Maybe a Crazy Lace.
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