Turquoise: Real or Fake?

This video is about the exhibit Turquoise, Water, Sky at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

[@avabatson8853]

I am Native American. Blue is representational, of the sky, the spirit world from which we came. It holds the wisdoms of those lives before this one. Natives wear the turquoise as a reminder they carry that wisdom from the sky/spirit world. Often the blue of the turquoise is paired with the red of the coral to symbolize the passing from this world to the “red walk” home, back to the spirit world. Natives do not take, only what Mother Earth gives, freely. Everything about Native Jewelry and Art is symbolic. From basket weaving, pottery, woven rugs, shawls, etc. There will be symbolism, and often a story, intermingled as art in each piece. Natives often view items as their caretaker, not owner. There can also be great Karma or residual spirit energy, from theft of items or pieces. Everything artisan is sacred, and a part of that persons spirit goes into the pieces which they create. This needs to be understood.

[@patsygroves3812]

That is Beautiful ! I remember when we lived in the high desert of Northern California ; we would drive into Reno, Nev. to the Smoke Shop Mall on the reservation . They had such beautiful pottery and Native American artwork . I loved going there ! God Bless .

[@grazia9398]

Beautiful thanks for sharing 🙏❤️

[@lauraford9794]

Very interesting - thank you for adding to our understanding :)

[@mistydawn2717]

Thank you I've tried to tell people this when they try to buy my stuff cheaper than I can make it. They dont understand we put part of our selves into our work and it all has a powerful meaning ♥️

[@mahiyashibhattacharya3923]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 thanks in tons for this profound knowledge

[@nnayram64]

Makes me feel better about the non real turquoise things I have. I initially chose to love the color by wearing some turquoise colored clothing, or jewelry that may have been glass or enamel. Sure I’d love the real thing, but I’d never be able to afford it so I have to remind myself that I was perfectly happy just to wear the color😊. The color is what made me feel so good and that is enough for me now and to enjoy watching these videos of course.

[@StarDreamMemories]

I'm surprised at some of the more recent retail stores in the last 20yrs, when it is in fashion, you will come across it and it is not very expensive. But it's only been in fashion 2 times that I can remember....or perhaps it's just me seeking. I'm a treasure hunter.

[@kpepperl319]

I think it's interesting what different people value different aspects of the same item... Color is more important than materials to the native people... Because the colors represent the relationship between the Native people and their environment. Tourists want to put the value on materials rather than the meaning behind Native American art.

[@joann5157]

Sooo, you didn't really TELL us how to differentiate real from fake. You just gave an interesting history.

[@Mary.12fly]

You didn't pick up on the differences?

[@Emma-kb1qw]

@@Mary.12fly differences between plastic & crystal ??? That was ALL she Showed! Unless you're a clarivoyant - There was NOT a real, valid explanation there.

[@Emma-kb1qw]

@ Jo Ann Exactly - absolutely pointless

[@SemekiIzuio]

Yup dissapointed

[@shannono8397]

one of the most sincere gifts I've received is a very old squash blossom necklace, all turquoise rondels, cut so perfectly...small to large. I feel a part of the sky when I wear it on the rare occasion. I will wear it more now

[@ronboar]

I love you to say that... Ancestors don't intently create it as fake, they don't have that monkey business of today. Their ability to mimic nature is pure Art with good intent. And still, it has the same power of having original. 🖤💜💙

[@Mary.12fly]

I love this video. It really makes you think about what has become materially important to people. The material value of wanting an authentic stone, versus jewelry beautifully representing water and sky.

[@xx-nr6lu]

You have a very sweet and calming voice. I love it! Very educational video.

[@Shyruban]

Most turquoise on the market today is dyed howlite, howlite is originally a white, porous stone that can be easily dyed to resemble turquoise and other semi precious stones. Some howlite ''turquoise are very good and nice imitations and well they are actually made of stone. They're just not turquoise.

[@kathleenpimentel9218]

I found that out too late. Item was listed as Howlite Turquoise; so I didn't make a distinction because there are different kinds of Turquoise say from different places or mines, etc. False advertising.

[@luv2sing172]

My maw maw when she passed she gave me all of her jewelery and we have a lot of native blood and I think some of the pieces are real turquoise this is crazzyyyy it makes it so much more special to me

[@coop5329]

The thing that immediately sticks out is that she should have worn gloves of some color other than blue-green! The big color areas of the gloves totally distract from trying to look at the similarly colored gemstones.

[@mattnobrega6621]

Good to know. I love turquoise and silver together

[@bonnieikamas1201]

I’m grateful to this presenter as well as those who have left comments.

[@thejerryj]

I am an amateur Silversmith, and I'd NEVER consider putting in the time and work to make a belt with glass instead of stone! The belt is beautiful, by the way!

[@annetillman5378]

I seemed to have slipped into a coma listening to her talk....her voice is way too soothing to listen to for an extended period of time unless you are trying to sleep.

[@medicinecap]

I guess she needed more explosions and car chases in her attempt to EDUCATE people.

[@lindamaxwell5080]

5

[@jessewru6425]

i like your turquoise gloves :)

[@kimberlycabanas2496]

Haha

[@donnawoodford6641]

Are the turquoise gloves real or fake? How can we tell? 😁

[@PuentesRE]

I rather like this idea, that the value refers to more than whether the material is natural turquoise or not. This could extend to the choice of what mine natural turquoise comes from. The value comes from the person who wants the art, in this arena of jewelry. The non turquoise pieces have the value of the color and what it represents, as well as the skill of the hand that made it. I've only recently really got into the idea of purchasing turquoise jewelry as a means of connection to my recently passed mom. She loved this kind of jewelry. As long as the pieces are represented honestly, my mind has been opened up.

[@SashasRevenge]

Great video, I really appreciate you teaching us the real facts.

[@dakotabarnes6048]

I would prefer real turquoise however since I know how hard it is to come by and how important turquoise is to the Native Americans and a lot of the mines are located on their land I would take the fake hands down.

[@Sheerkat7]

Tap on the stone. Plastic sounds different than real turquoise. It's also much lighter weight.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

It looks different, too. Inherited a delicate choker and shadowbox drop earrings: the earrings are real, the choker is suspicious (despite being pretty).

[@josianedemena5327]

The belt is a piece of Art It must have taking a long time to make Magnificent work🤩

[@greglindstrom2733]

weird this is the second slippery answer . color isn't fake . YES IT"S COMPLETELY FAKE! Chemical composition is EVERYTHING!

[@henryraymond8676]

Yes, this is a history lesson and doesn't really tell you about how to tell real from fake. Interesting but NOT related really to the title.

[@Emma-kb1qw]

Exactly !!!! Very disappointing to say the least, I have not problem identifying blue plastic or crystal, yet I do not know the tricks to identify a Real Turquoise 🤷‍♀️

[@marszenka]

No sarcasm, you can tell visually if you see enough of it. I worked briefly in a trading post store in Tucson and got a great education reading the books stocked behind the counter. Try to track down a coffee table-style book about turquoise or Native jewelry and study the pictures. After getting more familiar, there are some easy litmus tests: 1. is it perfectly uniform, bright blue? Is it large (size of your little fingernail or bigger, ruling out those tiny little tourist pieces)? If the answers to both are yes, and the price wouldn’t make the average college student at least wince, it is probably fake. At best, its composed of tiny scraps of turquoise heated up and pressed into a stable stone. 2. Does it have a dark matrix running through it? Does the matrix leave really big patches of blue showing through and look pretty uniform (all patches of color close to the same size)? Is the price LESS than a week’s worth of groceries for an adult living alone? Is it closer to, say, three meals out at Chik Fil A? Its howlite. If it is listed at a premium price, it is probably still howlite and you should shop elsewhere unless you are an expert who is absolutely certain it is not, in fact, howlite. 3. Does it have a lot of color variation in the same stone, say from vivid blue to green? Would a college student wince at the price instead of dying on the spot? It’s probably chrysocolla, which is actually a beautiful stone in its own right even if it isn’t turquoise. Obviously this is not fool-proof, but the nice thing about turquoise is that stones mined in different regions have specific looks to them-in a lot of cases you can figure out the mine just by the way the stone looks, whether it is blue or green or has webbing or pyrite inclusions, etc. Nearly all market turquoise has to be stabilized, too, so in some way most of the stones you see are “fake.” Turquoise is naturally extremely fragile and most non-treated stones would not survive long. If you want totally natural turquoise, be prepared to pay a premium for it. Vibrant blue colors fetch higher prices. If a piece has a large stone selling for $100 or less, be wary. it isn’t necessarily fake but the odds are not in your favor. Hope that helped a bit.

[@mark29626]

what a lovely lady !

[@KennethKustren-lr6tg]

Like the stone marble I found in Rutland, B.C, Canada . W5 ... EXISTS .

[@mrperez7036]

Terrific! Thank you so much for this video it is so full of information and education. I would have never known the difference.

[@zappachick228]

"Price" will tell you the difference...usually.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Price will not always tell you if that genuine cabochon set in that gorgeous ring or bracelet is whole or a slice applied to a base material before being set.

[@jenniferbeatty7545]

Please STOP calling fake stones 'Turquoise' !!!

[@Peachy08]

I have quite a bit of turquoise jewelry. It is a beautiful stone.

[@kimberlycabanas2496]

That was interesting. It looks like some people were expecting to learn how to tell the difference. You sort of did that, but the real value of this video, as it turns out, is purely anthropological.

[@12345674309]

Bum dope, Kimberly. There are a few magnetic minerals but turquoise is not one of them. Turquoise has a copper base, not iron.

[@khanmadni386]

Sweet

[@yolandakuieekuiee7260]

Colors can distinguish where the origins of the stone came from if recorded. All precious stones have soil in them to clean theme of there residue so the soil can be lifted from the stone. Either way turquoise is one of my favorite stones and I hope it is yours too.

[@edrodriguez9144]

Thank you so much for all of the very useful and important information. I just started collecting my new Turquoise collection, after several years away from the hobby. Ed

[@InkaPley]

Wonderful. Thank you so much for your explanation. ❤

[@MinkytheMinkY]

Came here for the perceived chemistry, stayed for the historical and philosophical underpinnings.

[@deborahduthie4519]

Turquoise can’t be mined for jewellery. It must be a foundling, like a choice has been made for the finder to be the special custodian by the Skies and the Spirits of ancestors who sent it.

[@macaronney]

Watching this because i own that exact bracelet lol

[@BuzzinVideography]

That's why I only trust turquoise from my tribe

[@ameretat8363]

Very informative thank you

[@bonkersforcats]

very interesting, thank you!

[@joannathesinger770]

An easy test anyone can do is dip a q-tip in acetone (real acetone, which is fingernail polish remover...don't buy the non-acetone kind...read the label) and then rub the piece. If it's dyed, the dye will come off on the q-tip. If it's real, no dye will come off. Easy!

[@Royal_Diadem]

Very informative video, great information! Bummer those blossoms at the end of the video, smh tisk, tisk, tisk. Happy for some reason I never really gravitated to the blossom styled stones... See I knew there was a reason the Most High never wanted me to get or desire those power of blue 💙🔵 ones that look perfect and cohesive in shade, i always stayed away from those and gravitated plus aimed for the natural nugget spotted spider-webbed veined stoned turquoise with dark contrasting Matrix 😊💕

[@pskyy]

Still don't know how to tell fake from real....

[@BlazingShackles]

Is Mexican Food really Mexican Food if its cooked in the US? You're asking the wrong question. Nearly all turquoise is dyed stabilized or mixed with colored plastic at this time. Much of it isn't even mineralogical turquoise at all.

[@margui6224]

She explained about the history, but she didn't tell HOW to differentiate the real gem from fakes.

[@bailey9947]

well yeah no kidding, this is a channel about native american history...what were you expecting?

[@lilRadRidinHood]

@@bailey9947 the title is very misleading, I think a lot of us expected to be given a lesson on how to differentiate the two: real and fake.

[@bailey9947]

@@lilRadRidinHood the title literally just says turquoise: real or fake? It doesn’t say anything about a tutorial, not to mention the video is from a history channel

[@jackielinde7568]

I'll be honest. I've seen some of the videos by The Navaho Traditions, where the speaker is an Elder talking about aspects of life and religion for the Dine' people (Navaho). He was talking about their believe in four different worlds, and each world is represented by a color. For them, blue has power because it represents the second world. Our world is Yellow. (Has to do with the color of corn pollen.) I don't have a problem if native artists are including blue objects because of the colors association in their beliefs. That's perfectly fine. I do have a problem when someone misrepresents an object as a different object and is financially benefitting from that deception. I know it happens somewhat in the tourist shops on the reservations, but I think it happens more in the kitschy southwest shops you find in popular spots like downtown Scottsdale or in mall outlets.

[@joannathesinger770]

Navajo!

[@judyjohnson7286]

I have a ring with a lArge Colorado green turquoise that is about 40+ years old and is cracking badly now. How do I stabilize it so that I won’t lose any more of the stone?

[@joannathesinger770]

Contact a gemologist who does restoration work. They could remove the stone, stabilize it with assorted materials, and then reset it in the bezel.

[@msgt1942]

When you look at its fake etc ok I'm an expert now on fake or real turqouise. That was a misleading title. Short history of turqouise would be more appropriate

[@bailey9947]

this is literally a channel about native american history. don't get mad that you got a history video from a history channel

[@zarikgems]

Nice information

[@heliotropezzz333]

I like the turquoise coloured gloves. So how much of the turquoise on the market is real and how much is fake? I think she said most is fake. I bought some turquoise jewellery from a local jewellers in the UK a few years ago - a pendant and some earrings - not large pieces and they were not cheap. Would it be real, or if fake, would the jeweller be contravening the sale of goods act for calling it turquoise? Mine is fairly plain blue stone, a bit paler than the fakes shown here, with no lines in it but here and there slight markings. There's a touch of yellow at the edge of the pendant for instance

[@bailey9947]

y'all are mad because she didn't show you how to tell whats real or fake even though the title nor the description said nothing about that

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

Lets not forget sellers will lie to you to sell a piece.

[@boobunn4151]

none of these real turquoise videos are much use in identifying real turquoise. in fact they all seem to act as apologists for what is obviously an industry that doesn't have any real turquoise left to sell.

[@bailey9947]

this is a video from a channel about native american history...don't get mad when you get a history lesson from a history channel

[@Orcinus1967]

Ding! What they do have in common is that they are turquoise in color. Oh, and they are vintage.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

If you have any real turqoise jewelry from the 1970s craze, hang onto it.

[@bodeine454]

This is kinda like going shopping for real gold, silver or maybe a diamond. If I'm wanting a genuine, natural turquoise ring or bracelet then that's exactly what I am shopping for. I don't want to be bamboozled by someone or some witty advertising that what I'm looking at is turquoise when it's actually glass, wood or soft turquoise mixed with plastic. I want to know that I'm looking at genuine, natural turquoise! This is another somewhat informative video but not detailed or involved enough to allow me to really be able to tell the difference and be confident in my belief. Turquoise jewelry is sold at many different places and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, for me anyway. It doesn't seem to be as well regulated as say the diamond and gold industry....

[@Toci333]

It easy to tell the difference. You can not replicate turquoise the matrix gives it away. Even if it has little to no matrix you just can't replicate the beauty and the stones natural presence. It is very much alive.

[@AdinNuralam]

Sibhanalloh sangat cantik sekali batu nya saya sangat suka sekali

[@fauziahdewi29]

how to crystallize in Chalcedon stone chryssocola from indonesia

[@michaelmallal9101]

I guess the best idea is to find a trusted source.

[@firewaterbydesign]

I have a bracelet that was made from turquoise, opal and coral, that is a beautiful eagle, in a large amount of .925 sterling silver and signed by the artist. I have been told potential value is $3200-$4500 depending on the area that it is sold in. However, I have no information on the artist, nor do I know where to go to find such information. But This can greatly determine the value of the piece, obviously. If you happen to know the place that I need to contact, please advise. Thank you.

[@allisonwinterbottom3475]

Google and snapshot the signature. My daughter did that when she inherited my mothers signed ring bought at a First Nations shop/gallery in Folsom.

[@SusanGustavson-xx1qh]

Really interesting

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍🙏Thank you. 🙏💝

[@eburalik]

Tibetan also

[@lourias]

Thank you for sharing.

[@dolsen1959do]

Great video thanks

[@audreywood2056]

Thank you

[@themsrenee65]

Question .Is turquoise a lStone .

[@lindamannix1247]

So many shades of turquoise .. Green.. Whitish.. I even saw pinkish .. and a blue not like turquoise at all.

[@sdvirtualtours7447]

So I’m gonna just sell blue stuff for thousands and call it turquoise... because everything turquoise....

[@reneehomco3207]

Thank you❤

[@АннаСтрокатова-в6н]

Спасибо. Я люблю бирюзу.

[@ericschmuecker348]

My people call it corn.

[@Emma-kb1qw]

So where is the REAL STONE? HOw can WE IDENTIFY IT? P. S. We can all distinguished the ones that you has shown here ( plastic or crystal examples) but you forgot to Show & Analysed THE REAL one) 🤷‍♀️

[@misstexas4096]

Is it common place to be charged to have turquoise appraised? If so, what is a reasonable amount to be charged???

[@joannathesinger770]

Yes...to have anything appraised, one must compensate the appraiser for their time and expertise. Appraisal rates depends on the area. An appraisal in NYC or LA will cost more than an appraisal in Texas...but count on an appraisal in Houston or DFW to cost more than an appraisal in Waco or Lubbock. Also, the appraiser can give you rates up front before they look at the piece. Appraisal rates are not on a sliding scale.

[@WaqarKhan-pk8sw]

Good 😊 Nice ❤️

[@49mara]

She didn't show the difference. Sorry.

[@bailey9947]

this is a history channel, idiot

[@yosupyang2952]

멋지네요

[@zainiboy13]

When can we have turquoise pizza?

[@mgsearch7352]

We have the most rare turquoise ring in the world for sale

[@JohnSmith-un9fy]

No help!

[@JohnSmith-un9fy]

Hahaha! True!

[@muhammadkashal766]

Nice

[@muhammadkashal766]

I nide

[@vanessastarkey4642]

Someone stole My grandpas

[@SemekiIzuio]

I am awfully drawn to this color, like alot. I came to watch for the color not the stone lol and only saw blue rip

[@clarajohn2653]

HSN sells fake turquoise with very high price. Someone is selling fake turquoise getting rich.

[@helmandobeid]

The reality of the today's; no one can trust anyone

[@memyselfkarenmei1701]

So... again thanks. but no specifics about what is real.

[@emmettbattle5728]

did you watch the video? the point is that it didnt matter to the native people if it was "real" because the "fakes" were real for their intended purposes. it only mattered to tourists and people buying jewelry looking for a very specific thing. ms. mcbrinn shows why some are clearly "fake" but not what is 100% "real" because people who care if its "fake" have millions of other resources on the internet. this is entirely about archaeology, not geology.

[@rickyboyd8598]

Can’t hear you well

[@mostafasaadinasab6338]

# bitte Arbeit ist Gute

[@pearlypearl369]

she blames natives for using fake turquoise, smh

[@Orcinus1967]

Natives used what they could get. She did not BLAME anyone. She EXPLAINED. There is a difference. Some people are just looking for a reason to be offended.

[@pearlypearl369]

@@Orcinus1967 Her statement is not true. There are legal cases in the Southwest region, Non-Native American art dealers who sold counterfeit Indian jewelry in violation of the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act have been prosecuted and therefore, she should get her facts right. Misleading & stereotyping. Im not offended I'm stating facts. Its just a KZbin video, viewer will decide to each their own.

[@Orcinus1967]

@@pearlypearl369 Thank you for edifying me.

[@ranausman4293]

I need can you give me

[@saulrabiela4862]

😫 nating is turquesa

[@dorinemort6359]

well thats five minutes im not gettin back

[@whee202drab828]

All that talk and you didn't tell how you tell if a stone is real or how you tell. All that you did is give examples of real and fake.

[@jinglang6128]

you are being too sarcastic

[@loveAsma89]

Tell the different waste of time

[@junaidakhtar165]

shut up Assam love u

[@junaidakhtar165]

hi

[@reenapalav8000]

moral of the story? learned nothing 😞

[@drneetigupta2982]

😀😀

[@steventenbears9939]

damn your cute!

[@ZiaKhan-lf4nh]

کیا یہ بیجتے ہو

[@nunyabizness9459]

So in other words, they made fakes back in the day too. Lady, people have made imitation goods replicating more expensive and rare materials for many many centuries. It isn't a modern concept.

[@s13rr4buf3]

Nunya Bizness Don't talk down to people.

[@muhammadmeerasahib4511]

waste of time

[@منتظرعلي-ج7ر1ذ]

ألا طحين بعلي الا زبري ههههههههه

[@sharlayholmes586]

hami