I don’t Like Turquoise BUT I love everything else about it

By Joe Dan Lowry | Copyright Feb 10, 2020

When I was around eight years old my grandfather gave me my first piece of turquoise. It was a natural high dome, high grade Persian cabochon. I loved my grandfather and he loved me and he was taking the time to share with me his greatest passion outside of family.  Grandpa was loving and hospitable; warm and so gentle in his personality. I tried my best to respond to his gift with respect and love. He was shocked and a little hurt that I was unimpressed and thought the turquoise was ugly and its colors loud. 

He was a wonderful grandpa and an influential man in my life, but I don’t think he ever quite knew what to do with a grandson who didn’t like turquoise.

I believe the ways that I began to compare and define turquoise to people was influenced by my grandfather’s unending passion for turquoise. I could relate to his passion about turquoise when I realized that most people in turquoise were colorful and passionate just like he was. To me, it is just turquoise. Yet to others, it was a personal journey of discovery, color and people. I discovered that people are as colorful as turquoise; each one unique. The variety of opinions about turquoise was all over the map. Everyone was ready to defend their personal favorites of colors, matrix, mines, miners, artists, art, lapidarists, geology, mineralogy, mystical qualities, opinions, culture, history, and the list goes on and on. I discovered that these people and their variety of opinions fascinated me. How could one gemstone fulfill so many people’s unique passions and opinions? I began to recognize that the story of turquoise was one of the greatest untold subjects in the history of mankind. It is a never ending study of every subject in the history of the world. Here a just a few.

Definition

It is a gemstone. Okay. Define the gemstone. Is it white, blue or green? What is the chemical formula when it is green compared to blue. How can Bisbee and Number Eight and Manassa all be the same gemstone.

 It is a color. Okay. Which color is it? Is it sky blue or sea green or another? It is the only color that does not stay in a color range like reds, oranges or purples.

Teaching the English language

Reading/Spelling-To learn the English language you will need to understand the (Q –U rule)

 the (double vowel rule) and the (silent E rule). The word turquoise has all three. Turquoise can also be used as a nown or an adjective.

Geography-Turquoise deposits have been discovered on 6 or 7 continents. There is a country in South America that has turquoise deposits. Don’t know which one. This country has the same name and similar shape to what makes New Mexican food hot.

Mineralogy- Why does iron make red colors but iron make turquoise green? All mineralogy and science can be taught using turquoise.

History-Turquoise was one of the first, if not the first minerals used for ornamentation. This includes the arts, history and cultures all over the world. Pick a culture and learn about their uses of turquoise and trade.

Imitations-Learn about science and mankind’s wonder and abilities to create what they see. Concrete was not invented as an imitation for turquoise. But concrete can be shaped and enameled to imitate turquoise.

Human Nature-See anthropology (the study of human behavior) come to light when anyone studies or gives an opinion about turquoise.

Religion-Now here is a fun subject to learn about using the subject turquoise.

Math-weights and measures is math. Buying a piece of turquoise can include all forms of math.

Geometry and more…

Turquoise is the most FASCINATING gemstone in the world!

These are just some of the reasons why….

I don’t Like Turquoise BUT I love everything else about it!

Joe Dan Lowry,

©February 10, 2020