Please note that this is a slice of the whole turquoise picture, this just focuses on stabilized turquoise in particular.

Turquoise comes in over 200 different grades, each determined by color and hardness. The lowest grade of turquoise is called chalk. This grade of turquoise is then subdivided into even more grades depending on color and quality. This grade of turquoise is what becomes stabilized turquoise. This process is often the most misunderstood about turquoise. Turquoise is not subjected to this process because it is considered “unstable” or less valuable. Rather it is put through this process because when it was mined it was too soft to cut or form into cabochons and beads, in other words it was not usable for any lapidary purpose. So to make the rock usable for lapidary purposes it is put through a hardening process. This process is proprietary and will change from processor to processor but for the most part the results are the same, a hard rock that is usable for lapidary processes.

When a rock is sent to a stabilizer it is in the same form that it was mined in, meaning that the rock was found, cleaned and sent to be hardened. It is returned in the same form, the only thing that is different about it is that it has been hardened. The rock is now ready for use and can be cut into slabs, cabs and beads for everyone to enjoy and use.

You may notice that there are differences in price between what is called a natural stone and a stabilized stone. The reason for this is that to have a piece of turquoise that does not need any hardening is less common than to find a piece of turquoise that does. This fact as well as the grade differences in natural versus the stabilized chalk makes natural stone the more expensive choice.

Many people see that there is far less natural material on the market than there is stabilized material and assume that all turquoise must be stabilized for use or that turquoise mines only produce chalk turquoise. This is not true. Most turquoise mines have an abundance of high quality natural material. The reason this material is not seen on the market as much is that it often has bids and waiting lists before it is even mined. After it is mined it is purchased by collectors and jewelry designers that make this stone an integral part of prized collections and jewelry pieces. This leaves less to go around for the general market and thus leads to the belief that all turquoise needs stabilizing.

To purchase stabilized stone has many merits. Stabilized stone offers a cost effective way to integrate turquoise into any design or project. It also offers color consistency which can be very important to designers. This characteristic of stabilized turquoise occurs because the hardening process acts as a type of sealant to any body oils, lotions or soaps that are often present on the skin. With natural turquoise if you get a medium to low grade turquoise the stone could( but not always) be more porous and receptive to body oils allowing the stone to change and deepen in color as it ages. This patina, as it is called, is valued in it’s own right, but some designers insist on color consistency making the only options stabilized material or a higher grade of turquoise that is more expensive than most are willing to pay for.

Stabilized turquoise has found it’s niche in the market allowing everyone to enjoy high quality beautiful turquoise at affordable prices.

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