RARE Sonoran Gold Turquoise (Mex) 4mm Heishi Beads, 16 Inch Strand
These have been stabilized using the Zachary treatment method. The Zachery treatment is a proprietary, non-toxic process developed in the 1980s that enhances turquoise by reducing porosity, increasing density, and improving color and polish. Unlike plastic stabilization, it does not use dyes or resins, but increases potassium levels, making the stone more durable and resistant to oils.
Sonoran Gold Turquoise is a recent discovery (2019) and comes from the mines near Cananea, Mexico. This turquoise does not come in veins but rather individual nuggets in a clay deposit. The colors can be spectacular, bright in tones of deep green, lime and blue/green mixed, only recently has material been found that is all blue. This turquoise sometimes has golden brown matrix but can also have lighter yellow or white matrixing where the host rock peeks through the turquoise. The color combinations and shades can vary. Because of these rich color variations this new Sonora Gold turquoise is distinctive and has a lot of character.
