MORENCI TURQUOISE TRANSFORMATION

First of all, below are samples of natural Morenci turquoise from Morenci, Arizona. Consequently, the photographs show their transformation from rough turquoise chunks into beautiful cabochons.

Especially relevant,  this Morenci turquoise originates with Dan Caudle. Consequently, Dan is an electrician at the Morenci copper mine. Most importantly, Dan purchases turquoise direct from Morenci miners, who are bringing turquoise out of the mine in their lunch boxes. In addition, to view a video of Dan, please click HERE.    Incidentally, Dan is also the very person who starts the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show back in the 1950’s. In addition, Dan runs lapidary shops in both Clifton/Morenci and Tucson, Arizona.

Most notably,  Morenci turquoise is no longer available from the Morenci mining district for over 30 years. Correspondingly, this makes this variety of turquoise very desirable. With this in mind, Morenci Turquoise is of medium blue sky color. Chiefly, there is pyrite matrix in high-grade Morenci Turquoise. Most notably, this pyrite polishes to a silver color. 

The above pictured turquoise is natural, untreated Morenci turquoise which has been backed with Devcon © for strength and provides a smooth surface for setting the stones.
Most notably, the above turquoise is natural, untreated Morenci Turquoise. Also, it has Devcon backing, which is for strength. Consequently, it provides a smooth surface for setting the stones.
The bottom row is the same natural, untreated Morenci turquoise pictured in the above bottom row, only now polished with diamond coated sanding wheels on our Diamond Pacific © Titan © cabbing machine. This picture demonstrates the dramatic transformation that the use of lapidary machines can provide.
Comparatively, the bottom row is the same natural, untreated Morenci turquoise which I show in the photograph above. In contrast, the bottom row is only shiny because we polish it with diamond coated sanding wheels on our Diamond Pacific © Titan © cabbing machine. Finally, this picture demonstrates the dramatic transformation that the use of lapidary machines provides.                                                      

Tucson Lapidary 1990 – 2023 © Schannep Ventures L.L.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED