Turquoise How Can One Determine Value?

[edw_kym]

I currently have a Turquoise pendant and would appreciate help in determining value? And does the metal look like genuine sterling silver? it has no markings! Does anybody know?

 

[stracci2000]

This is typical 1970's costume jewelry, and the "stones" are plastic, and glued in. The piece is not sterling, either.
Do a hot pin test and see. Heat a metal needle or pin with a lighter till it is very hot., and gently touch it to the back of that "stone". The tip pf the needle will sink right into that plastic.
This is a great way to tell if any "stone" is plastic, as sometimes it is hard to tell.

 

[Burmesedaze]

This is typical 1970's costume jewelry, and the "stones" are plastic, and glued in. The piece is not sterling, either.
Do a hot pin test and see. Heat a metal needle or pin with a lighter till it is very hot., and gently touch it to the back of that "stone". The tip pf the needle will sink right into that plastic.
This is a great way to tell if any "stone" is plastic, as sometimes it is hard to tell.

This is very useful. Thank you.

 

[stracci2000]

This is very useful. Thank you.

A friend once gave me a tortoise shell cuff bracelet that she acquired while living in Hawaii in the 1970s. She swore it was tortoise, and it came from a Samoan lady, and she said that the Samoan ladies all wore tortoise accessories.
I had never seen real tortoise, because it is illegal. So I wasn't sure.
I gave it the hot pin test, and it was plastic/celluloid.
So I was a little disappointed, but of course I never told my friend what I discovered.
Yes, this test works! A tiny hole in the back of a plastic "stone" certainly doesn't ruin the piece anyway.

 

[Bluegemz]

A friend once gave me a tortoise shell cuff bracelet that she acquired while living in Hawaii in the 1970s. She swore it was tortoise, and it came from a Samoan lady, and she said that the Samoan ladies all wore tortoise accessories.
I had never seen real tortoise, because of course it is illegal. So I wasn't sure.
I gave it the hot pin test, and of course it was plastic/celluloid.
So I was a little disappointed, but of course I never told my friend what I discovered.
Yes, this test works! A tiny hole in the back of a plastic "stone" certainly doesn't ruin the piece anyway.

It’s a great way to test amber from amber look alikes too!

 

[edw_kym]

A friend once gave me a tortoise shell cuff bracelet that she acquired while living in Hawaii in the 1970s. She swore it was tortoise, and it came from a Samoan lady, and she said that the Samoan ladies all wore tortoise accessories.
I had never seen real tortoise, because of course it is illegal. So I wasn't sure.
I gave it the hot pin test, and of course it was plastic/celluloid.
So I was a little disappointed, but of course I never told my friend what I discovered.
Yes, this test works! A tiny hole in the back of a plastic "stone" certainly doesn't ruin the piece anyway.

Conduct hot pin test of course and check for plastic/celluloid.THAX.
NOTE-I WILL GIVE A SOLID RESPONSE AFTER TEST IS DONE..

 

[edw_kym]

I Conducted hot pin test like you said.The results were the hot pin did create a very tiny dent hole.But the plastic celluloid must be extremely hard.It took a few tries to make the dent hole..Conclusion .It must be an extremely hard celluloid..

 

[stracci2000]

I Conducted hot pin test like you said.The results were the hot pin did create a very tiny dent hole.But the plastic celluloid must be extremely hard.It took a few tries to make the dent hole..Conclusion .It must be an extremely hard celluloid..

I'm sorry it's not turquoise, but now you have a way to find out if you have a genuine stone, or plastic. Sometimes material like black onyx, coral and ivory are simulated, and this is a good way to test them. Good luck with your future finds!