How do you stabalize turquoise?

[Bink29]

I would appreciate any help. Thanks

 

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[MEinWV]

I read that it is stabilized by submersion in an epoxy resin. The porous turquoise will absorb some of the epoxy.

Haven't found any more info yet!

Good luck!

 

[Mike Spicer]

the Silvery Colorado River Rock Club offers these instructions:
If you would like to try your luck at stabilizing a porous stone such as turquoise so it can be cut and polished,
Take a jar with a lid; add one pint of acetone. To this, add the complete contents of both the resin and the hardener tubes of epoxy glue, mixing well. Add well-dried stones, cover the jar, and let remain for at least four days.

Remove stones and allow a week for them to dry. They should now be stabilized and ready for working.

This is how I have done it (as above) I use 2 hr epoxy and a pint of acetone. in a glass jar. I leave it in for a week and swirl mixture every day. set out to dry in sun for a week. I do this with all types of stones. To fill voids, fill holes and glue on findings I use 330 lapidary epoxy because it dries clear.

Mike Spicer

 

[MEinWV]

Great info Mike! Thanks for helping out with those instructions!

Good luck!

 

[Bink29]

That is some great info. Thanks. I heard of using Opticon, but that is expensive and it says you have to bake it in the oven. That is a quick and easy way. Thanks again for the info. I am going to give it a shot.