Turquoise United Conference 2023
The second annual Turquoise United conference was held August 10–12, 2023, at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico. The vision of the conference is to bring together members of the turquoise industry at a single event for discussion and reunion. With this goal in mind, the conference caters to every aspect of the turquoise industry, attracting miners, lapidaries, collectors, dealers, artists, treatment experts, and researchers. A year ago, GIA representatives attended the inaugural Turquoise United conference (Fall 2022 GNI, pp. 390–394).
This year, there were additional symposium sessions across a range of topics and new competitions for registered conference participants. The first session was hosted by Turquoise Museum executive director Jacob Lowry, with a panel consisting of Kenneth Van Wey (Indian Arts and Crafts Board), Matthew Wernz (Federal Trade Commission), and Sean Hyrons (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). The panel discussed the laws surrounding the sale and purchase of turquoise jewelry and gave examples of situations in which their respective agencies may become involved (figure 1). The panelists offered advice to consumers purchasing turquoise jewelry, noting the importance of a written receipt stating the authenticity and nature of the product in as much detail as possible.
The turquoise grading system proposed by Joe Dan Lowry at last year’s conference has been put into practice. Attendees could attempt to grade sample stones or stones of their own using the system based on turquoise master stone sets and grades of color, matrix, and “zat” (boldness and dynamism). Application of the grading system requires detailed knowledge of certain turquoise features present at different mines. For example, author AG did not recognize “waterweb” matrix as being a valuable pattern, and therefore gave a lower matrix score on a stone with a high value. The grading system continues to be developed with feedback from the conference, with a goal of publicly accepted use by 2027.
The conference also offered courses for attendees. A “Turquoise Basics” course taught by Jacob Lowry described the types of turquoise and turquoise imitations in the market to better inform new buyers of the stone. Joe Dan Lowry taught a class called “Collecting 101,” offering guidance to consumers beginning their own turquoise collection. A follow-up course, “Collecting 102,” is planned for Turquoise United 2024.
Some attendees were rewarded for their impressive specimens and extensive turquoise knowledge. A highest-grade turquoise stone contest received numerous entries from multiple mines, ranging from natural cabochons with striking color and matrix to hefty rough turquoise nuggets. Best in Show winner Mark Baca (American Turquoise Online) received a monetary prize and trophy (figure 2). An identification contest over both days of the conference allowed attendees to test their skills at identifying the nature and mine origin of turquoise specimens. Michael Turano (Michael Turano Lapidary) won the contest, with Dye Masaki (Native Spirit) placing second, and Ty Gibson (Gibson Lapidary, LLC) in third.
Author AG presented his research on the Mona Lisa mine, located in western Arkansas, in a session on August 11. He provided details about the history, geology, mineralogy, and current mining operations at the site. Discussion about the methods used and Mona Lisa turquoise’s potential place in the market followed the presentation. Material from the mine was also on display at the Turquoise Museum, where the day ended with the Collectors’ Circle Gala.
The following morning, author AP presented GIA’s methods for identifying turquoise in the gemological laboratory. Attendees expressed their interest in learning more about these techniques and shared their views on terminology in the turquoise industry.
Next, Joe Dan Lowry presented a session on the challenges of fingerprinting turquoise mine sources, especially in archaeological contexts. The heterogeneity of turquoise, the multitude of sources, and the stone’s formation in near-surface, sedimentary environments create unique challenges when trying to determine a stone’s mine origin.
Throughout the conference, a gem show focused solely on turquoise was open to the public. Roughly a dozen dealers participated, offering a wide variety of turquoise material (figure 3), including high-end jewelry pieces, natural rough material, untreated cabochons, stabilized cabochons, and beadwork. Many American turquoise localities were represented, while turquoise from Iran, China, Egypt, and Mexico was also available. A silent auction allowed conference attendees to bid on natural turquoise and turquoise jewelry pieces donated by the event sponsors.
The conference concluded with a banquet honoring the first inductees into the Turquoise Hall of Fame: Joseph Pogue, Leonard Hardy, Robert Zachary, Philip Chambless, and James Elquist. These honorees were nominated for their impact on the turquoise industry. The event sponsors reiterated their desire to grow Turquoise United, with confirmation that the annual event will be hosted in Albuquerque in 2024.
