The Allure of Turquoise

Additional The Allure of Turquoise Information

New Mexico Magazine is now bringing it back into print, revised and updated, in a second edition.

A symbol of New Mexico’s beauty and ancient history, turquoise is highly valued. The gem enthralls modern man just as it charmed the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the great stone structures of Chaco Canyon. In 1967, the New Mexico legislature adopted turquoise as the state gem, acknowledging its importance in the culture and history of the Southwest. From early trade, to Native American ceremonial use, to trendy contemporary jewelry, turquoise inspires its collectors to trace the distinctive varieties of the mineral back to their individual mines.

This book includes articles on many aspects of the crown jewel of New Mexico, from geology and mining history, to its use and significance to American Indians. Fascinating chapters discuss the "allure" of the stone, old pawn, how to detect manufactured fakes, and even a special relationship between ants and turquoise.

Published by New Mexico Magazine

What Customers Say About The Allure of Turquoise:

L order this book because I love turquoise and make southwest designs. This book is a must for anyone who is crazy about turquoise,from where its mined,its origin(north america,mexico,orfar east)a useful book for tons of heplfull imformation right at your finger tips.Great photos and very well written one of the best books have.

If you collect turquoise or just wear it because you love it, do yourself a favor and get educated about vintage, pawn, and newer creations; natural stones vs. Beautiful pictures and interesting, informative articles make this book a must for anyone who is allured by the beauty of turquoise. I read the book in one setting, and while it is a good place to start, I found myself wanting more information. stablized stones, and even fake stones. You'll find this book helpful.

Nevertheless, although this is an informative and interesting book, if you are looking for a guide to collecting turquoise or turquoise jewellery, I'd begin withTurquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones), which focusses more on purchasing turquoise and the different types of turquoise. "The Allure of Turquoise" is made up of a collection of articles on turquoise, its history and the Native American mythology surrounding this stone. I was particularly fascinated by one article about ants and their relationship with turquoise. "The Allure of Turquoise" is a relatively short book (only 107 pages in length), but contains color pictures throughout. Be aware, however, that this book does not contain an index, a major drawback, as far as I am concerned.

I found this book very thorough as far as the knowledge of the types of turquoise. But, I also found a lot of good info about traditional jewelry selling, info about fakes and treatments and historical knowledge. Gorgeous pictures.

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.