New Mexico Turquoise

NEW MEXICO IS A GREAT PLACE TO BUY TURQUOISE AND ALBUQUERQUE IS THE PLACE IN THAT STATE.  HOWEVER YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MOST TURQUOISE SOLD IS "STABILIZED"  THIS IS A PROCESS WHERE SOFT, POROUS TURQUOISE IS INJECTED WITH A RESIN TO HARDEN IT AND DEEPEN THE COLOR.  IN NEW MEXICO STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT IF YOU ASK ABOUT THE TURQUOISE YOU ARE BUYING THE SHOP OWNER IS REQUIRED  TO TELL YOU IF IT IS NATURAL OR STABILIZED.  THE STABILIZED TURQUOISE IS WORTH ONLY ABOUT 10% AS MUCH AS NATURAL TURQUOISE.  BE CAREFUL WHEN SHOPPING ANYWHERE FOR TURQUOISE JEWELRY, BUT REMEMBER AT LEAST IN NEW MEXICO THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TELL YOU IF THE TURQUOISE YOU ARE BUYING IS STABILIZED OR NATURAL.