Explore the fascinating history and contemporary influence of turquoise as a gemstone of choice for collectors, artists, and jewelry wearers. Immerse yourself in its history from ancient times to the present, and the influence of Native American artists in making this gemstone an enduring part of popular culture in America. Illustrated with over 500 color images, this updated second edition includes nearly 150 photos never seen before. It shows turquoise from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada, plus Australia, China, and Iran, and the major localities in between. The gems appear in their natural state, cut, polished, and set into silver and gold jewelry. Extensive text details the gems' values and the many mines that have relinquished turquoise over thousands of years. AUTHOR: Mark P. Block is the proprietor of Mark Block Originals Fine Art, (blockglass.

net) and a long-time collector of gems and minerals, particularly varieties of quartz, calcite, fluorite, and turquoise. SELLING POINTS: * Immersion into the story of turquoise from ancient times to the present * Covers over 50 mines worldwide and hundreds of examples of cut, polished, and set pieces * Turquoise amazes the senses with its breadth of colors, patterns, and designs 553 colour and b/w images.