Turquoise has been mined on six continents and traded by cultures throughout the world's history, including the European, Chinese, Mayan, Aztec, Inca, and Southwest Native American. It has been set in silver and gold jewelry, cut and shaped into fetish animals, and even formed to represent gods in many religions. This gemstone is displayed in museums around the world, representing the arts and traditions of prehistoric, historic, and modern societies. Turquoise focuses on the latest information in science and art from the greatest turquoise collections around the globe.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 Knowing the Mystical Qualities of Turquoise

2 Learning the International History of Turquoise

3 Studying the Geology and Mineralogy of Turquoise

4 Mining Turquoise

5 Cutting Turquoise--Lapidary Work

6 Grading and Caring for Turquoise

7 Identifying Turquoise Imitations

8 Mapping Classic Turquoise Mines

Map: Turquoise Mines of the Southwest

Endnotes

Bibliography

Index

Credits