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Oregon Turquoise , Gem Cilica, Copper Ore & Turquoise-Chalcedony

B.R.C.M. mining, & prospecting

  • Home
  • Gallery (link bellow)
  • Contact Us
  • Gorgeous locations
  • Valuation
  • Native Tools and Artifacts
  • Dabs Oils and medicinal concentrates

 FACTS AND HISTORY

We have pieces which range in size specific gravity and hardness and especially in grades between upper to mid to upper jewelers grade all the way to some of the highest quality and verified TOP grade (from the ground) Oregon turquoise gem-chalcedony, turquoise blue gem-silica , AND natural mt. & river turquoise with a high variance  in specific mineralogical surface matrix which ranges from copper to black depending on the levels of copper and iron in the area of its formation, and can be within a specific hardness of up to 6-Mohs or just about the hardness of window glass due to its volcanic formation which contributed to the HIGH quality and and absolute beauty of these formations of natural robins egg blue turquoise. These samples which were found along the waterways of the Oregon coastal mountain range are by far the RAREST available sample of authentic natural turquoise available and the world first available Oregonian sample as of its discovery in  2010 and again upon its re-discovery in summer 2015 at which time the samples were verified by PSU geology dept. The samples shown here are from the only available supply of Oregon turquoise which is a complex conglomerate turquoise with a variant matrix based on is region of formation. BRCM as of now shows to be the only producer of Oregon turquoise. Due to the mines strict non-mechanical practices and limited yearly yields they are considered a (HAT MINE) and the rich deep blue turquoise which is yielded obtains its rich coloration from the many active and inactive copper and aluminium mines. Copper is often associated with rich green turquoise and malachite where as the aluminium ( elemental aluminum) which is found in Ferruginous Bauxite Deposits makes the turquoise in Oregon a rich color of deep blue and will vary in hardness and color intensity based on hundreds of contributing formation factors including pressure heat and hydration. The aluminum turquoise is often referred to as sky-stone or Persian Blue and is often denser and harder. 


Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the typical chemical formula

 CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)84H2O.  And though our matrix is slightly more complex with the formula identified as

CuAl6(PO. 4)4(OH)84H. 2O.(K2O) Ar CaMg(Co3)2.

the specific formula can vary depending on it region of turquoise formation due to variation in surrounding minerals which are hydroscopically included during formation. Even standard turquoise is rare and valuable in mid-finer grades of hardness's of 4-6 moh's and has been prized as a gem and even a valued ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue and often bluish color. In recent times, turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the open turqouise market. Natural turquoise is soft and easily damaged unless stabilized. Naturally hard un-stabalized turquoise is very rare and valuable to collectors and jewelers alike.

The NATURAL (from the ground) substance has been known by many names, but the word turquoise, which dates to the 17th century, is derived from the French turques for "Turks", because the mineral was first brought to Europe from Turkey, from mines in the historical Khorasan Province of Persia.[2][3][4][5] Pliny the Elder referred to the mineral as callais and the Aztecs knew the stone held MAGICAL powers which increased longevity allowed foresight and even gave the wielder the ability to speak with nature itself.

Zachary Turquoise Treatments /

 sodium silicate

We have included this section on turquoise because this stone is often questioned as being “real”. Only 25% of the WORLDS turquoise is usable in its natural form which means upwards of 75% of openly traded turquoise is not natural. Our samples are manually extracted from rivers here in Oregon and manually graded and the specific mineralogical matrices (matrix) are tested for hardness quality and value. 90% of OUR turquoise is untreated and simply oiled for natural preservation of authentic beauty without damaged color which is unaltered during natural treatment. Turquoise is a fragile, porous stone with a tendency to undergo changes in color when exposed to light, perspiration, oils, water and detergents. Being a phosphate mineral, turquoise is inherently fragile and sensitive to solvents; perfume and other cosmetics. Chemicals in these solutions will attack the finish and may alter the color of turquoise gems, as will skin oils, as will most commercial jewelry cleaning fluids. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may also discolor or dehydrate turquoise.

Here's the general procedure that seems to be working now. it called the ZACHARY treatment which is used by native jewelers. Now It's not as involved as it may seem at first glance, and gets easier with practice. so here is the widely coveted semi-secret process used by mainstream jewelers of turquoise and opal and gem silica.

1) Clean slabs (or rough less than 1" thick) in a solution of hot water and trisodium phosphate (available in most paint departments for wall cleaning) prepared in the concentration specified for grease removal. I let them soak overnight. This may cause some slight color change - deeper blues and greens on chrysocolla and turquoise. Rinse slabs thoroughly and allow to air-dry.

2) For this step, you need a shallow, lidded stainless steel (not iron or aluminum) pot or pan and a means of holding temperature at around 180 F, substantially below boiling. I found a thrift store electric buffet warming plate which worked nicely. The stabilizing formula is based on sodium silicate solution with a weight ratio of around 3.2 (available at http://www.chemistrystore.com/sodium_silicate.htm and other similar sources). Read the MSDS! This solution is caustic, and you should wear eye and skin protection to handle it. Spray the pot lid edge with PAM or other cooking spray to keep it from adhering to the pot. Clean up drips and used utensils immediately with warm water. If the solution gets on fabric, rinse and wash it before the silicate dries.

3) Now, this is where things get a little weird... it takes a combination of very low activity organic acid and alkali mineral salts (carbonates, phosphates and sulfates of calcium, potassium, etc.) to get the silicate to polymerize in a non-water-soluble form, e.g. as agate. Though this can be done with very concentrated mineral water (about 1 gallon boiled down to 1 cup) and aspirin or citric acid, I found the easiest and cheapest way to do this was with Emer-Gen-C Lite mineral supplement packets. ***It's important to get the Lite sugar-free version --- sugar or fructose will oxidize and may discolor the stones.*** Dissolve one packet of Emer-gen-C in 1 cup (approx. 250 ml) of water and allow the fizzing to disperse. Add this solution to 8 oz. of sodium silicate in the stainless steel pot and stir to mix. For stones with very fine porosities or hairline cracks, add about 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap to reduce the viscosity of the solution.

4) Submerge the slabs in silicate solution in a single layer. Stacked slabs may stick together. Cover and let stand on the heat source for at least 24 hours. Longer cooking won't hurt... I've left some material in for up to 4 days. [For very thick material, a pressure cooker has been suggested, but the risks of silicate splash clogging the vent mechanism are too great for my peace of mind.] Remove the slabs and set them on a spray-greased baking rack over newspaper. Allow the slabs to drip dry. The dried slabs are safe to handle bare-handed, and can be gently pried off the rack if they stick. A word of caution --- dried silicate can be as sharp as glass!

5) Place the dry slabs on a cookie sheet and set in a cold oven. Turn the oven to "warm" and leave it on overnight. Turn the oven off and allow the stones to cool to room temperature with the door closed. The slabs should look shiny and any deep cracks will be partially filled. Porous stones should feel noticeably heavier after this treatment. At this point, you can re-clean the stone and "paint" silicate formula to fill larger cracks and voids. Repeat the drying and baking processes to set the added silicate.

The whole cleaning, soaking, drying and baking process can be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. There may be some brownish surface discoloration on the stone, but this comes off with polishing.

Silicate solution can be reused multiple times, adding a little water to replenish the volume. The solution may have some precipitated white silica gel and will turn tea-colored. When a thick layer of silica gel has precipitated and the solution seems thin, treat it by pouring out on about a pound of scoopable cat litter, allowing the litter to dry, then discarding it in regular trash. Don't pour it down the sink.

I've tried to explain in as much detail as I've gleaned from a half dozen or so different trials. So far, it's worked on slabs and rough of many different jaspers, chrysocolla, turquoise, Laguna, Botswana, plume and moss agates, Koroit opal, petrified woods and fossil coral.

Hope this helps.


Different Turquoise Treatments Include:

Natural – this is turquoise which has never been treated, it’s in its “from the ground” form.(90% of our total collection is untreated natural)

Enhanced –this is a way in which the stone is treated with varying electrical currents that harden the stone naturally, and enhance the original color of the turquoise. No dyes, resins, waxes or oils are used. Enhanced turquoise will not change color over time.

Stabilized - (we do not un-naturally stabilize) this is turquoise that is impregnated with acrylic or epoxy to harden the stone and enhance the color. Stabilized turquoise will not change color overtime.

Compressed -( we do not compress) this is a treatment that uses NATURAL pressure to harden the stone
Fracture-Sealed - ( we never use sealants or plastics) this is when the stone is treated with a fracture sealer which hardens the matrix in it.

Reconstituted - ( we do not use reconstituted material EVER) this is the process of taking pieces of turquoise, chips, powder or low grade, mix with an epoxy resin and add dye then compress into blocks. (COMMONLY FOUND in Arizona/New-Mexico)

Color Enhanced - is turquoise that has been stabilized and dyed to a specific or degree of color. (WE NEVER ENHANCE) 

Waxing and Oiling – (We treat 2-3% of our stones for native jewelry practices ) is one of the first treatments used in ancient times, providing a wetting effect, thereby enhancing the color and luster. This treatment is more or less acceptable by tradition, especially because treated turquoise is usually of a higher grade to begin with. Oiled and waxed stones are prone to "sweating" under even gentle heat or if exposed to too much sun and they may develop a white surface film or bloom over time. With some skill, oil and wax treatments can be restored.

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Stump-town Oregon
USA 97230
Phone: (503) 274-8760
Email - public / littlefoxonabox@gmail.com - private inquiries 

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B.R.C.M. private Field Biology, Herbology,Mineralogy,& Gemming

Specializing in finding gems minerals and ancient Artifacts + We make POWERFUL Herbal Dabs Oils and Concentrates

ABOVE, a solid pound turquoise with some secondary eilat growth of more than two present copper minerals such as malachite and azurite ...

ABOVE , a solid 10lb Oregon river turquoise with gem chalcedony inclusions

"From the ground" Turquoise comes in many various colors ranging from sky blue to browns and greens. This rare, often soft- but beautiful and highly valuable stone can be found in many regions in the world and depending on the amount of copper and iron found in the soil the stones coloring will change. Turquoise found with black or brown matrix can be called 'spiderweb' or 'dragon-scale'. Where as the fully blue with low matrix is called sleeping beauty, or Mt. Turquoise due to its rich blue color. A jewelers "Cut" is of personal preference. The style here is faceted bead Cabochon, Oval-natural , Clarity: Opaque, Color: Sky Blue, Teal, Green, Brown, Grey, Black "MOHS" Scale: 5-6.5 Care: Never steam clean. Never use ultrasonic. When working with truly unstabalized & naturally from the ground turquoise, the most accepted treatment and care is to HAND POLISH ONLY and never add oils or dyes because it will alter and damage the color and texture permanently. As an example of this, the finished product of two designer necklaces made from this turquoise are displayed.The pendant on the left is 1000ct the pendant on the right is 608ct both are hand made and hand polished....the slab is 1/2 of the total plate which was 2.5ft across in total BUT came out of the rocky wall in two pieces. The plate above is 1/2 and it is 1.25ft across at its widest point and 1-1.5inches thick (very hard) 6.5mohs solid turquoise...

What is Turquoise Gem Silica chalcedony ?

Gem silica is a bluish green to greenish blue variety of chalcedony that receives its vivid color from the presence of copper pulled from the natural turquoise formations. It is often known as "gem turquoise" "turquoise chalcedony" "chrysocolla chalcedony" or "gem silica chrysocolla."

Gem silica is the most valuable variety of chalcedony, with quality cut gemstones selling for over $100-$500 per carat. The best specimens have a pleasing blue color with strong saturation, a uniform translucence, and and a lack of inclusions.

Even though gem silica is one of the most beautiful blue gemstones, most people have never heard of it. That is because it is a very rare gem. It is seldom seen in jewelry and is used mainly by a small number of high-end jewelry designers.

The B.R.C.M. Mining and dredging team was formed in late 2014 and is composed of two members actively collecting and categorizing Oregon's many undocumented plants, minerals, stones and precious gems. We have a collection of Oregon turquoise, jasper, chalcedony, and sunstones. Our turquoise is complex and the matrix is displayed at the top of our gallery page. At the bottom there is a link to view some good images of earlier finds from between 2014-2015




ABOVE, A raw vein of natural Oregon Turquoise

ABOVE, a raw natural Oregon turquoise. An example of a finished cab (loose) un-set..BELLOW, some raw mineral slices fresh from the saw...

BELLOW, a finished ring setting made from gem turquoise chalcedony & some finished Oregon river mineral cabs made from the rough slices in free-form couture BOROCHE style... THIS form of turquoise blue gem-chalcedony is THE worlds rarest and most valuable form of all types of chalcedony due to the rich blue created during the pseudomorphic formation processes which pulled coppers and aluminum from the turquoise which is growing along side. Turquoise chalcedony is often highly valued and even SMALL examples of purity can fetch $100-$500/ct cabbed and set.

 

Gem turquoise Silica's Names and Color

The names " turquoise chalcedony" "chrysocolla chalcedony" and "gem silica chrysocolla" are used because the green to blue color of gem silica is related to chrysocolla. Some references state that the color is caused by minute inclusions of chrysocolla within the silica. 

Others attribute the color to "the same copper salts that give chrysocolla its color." 

The name "chrysocolla chalcedony" is appropriate if the person using the name knows that their material contains chrysocolla. The name "gem silica chrysocolla" is a misnomer because chrysocolla is not the primary constituent. "Gem silica" is the most appropriate name


most of our cabs are done by hand and basic tools but we invite artists to cab and facet our material and cooperative art and jewelry is always considered .. Any interested artists just PM us through he contact link above.

ABOVE, sliced parrot wing Chrisicolla growing with copper ore.

BELLOW, rough un-polished cabs made from our jade slices.. needs a buff then its time to set them...

ABOVE & BELLOW , Oregon jade-rough cabbed and ready to polish on the buffing wheel

(BELLOW) a Columbia river Indian arrowhead and a display of rough slices on a bin lid about to be polished in the vibratory tumbler. On the sill is a collection of cabsroughs and native artifacts from the Oregon area...

BELLOW, A MASSIVE TURKEY PAN OF SLICED TURQUOISE...


We collect and grade ferrous and non-ferrous metals and artifacts/historical samples. As well we find and document the locations and variations in natural crystalline formations and priceless Native American and Neolithic stone artifacts and relics along the Oregon and Washington mt ranges. 

This includes but is not limited to- arrowheads , stone knives, spear heads, opal arrowheads, wooden and stone tools, native pottery shards and fragments, musket barrings, native American stone utensils (bowls, mortar/pestals, jewelry,stone-weights )and much more which we will be posting and writing about as we uncover each new adventure along the Oregon trail.

We have over 100 years of collective knowledge and experience in the field of mineral and gem collection and classification as well and field biological conservative sciences and survival specialization which has been honed and sharpened while spelunking and cave diving for samples across many areas Including Mt Hood and mt st. Helen's.



So many hundreds of uncharted trails and water-ways along un-mapped regions as well as within the b.l.m. areas and within public domains while following strict gathering regulations, BELLOW is some rough Oregon gem silica and chalcedony  and a solid 100ct cab made from it (ILLUMINATED) to show translucency.

ABOVE, blue gem chalcedony and BELLOW green-blue Gem silica.

Gem and Jewelry Market

As a variety of chalcedony, gem silica has a Mohs hardness of 7 and is durable enough for use in almost any jewelry design. Yet, gem silica is rarely seen in jewelry. The gem is rare, costly, and the supply is limited.

You will probably never see it in mall jewelry stores. The supply is so limited and unpredictable that a large retail chain would be unable to acquire thousands of calibrated cabochons to launch a new product line, then count on more being available if the product line is successful.

If beautiful gem silica jewelry was featured in mall jewelry stores, it might sell slowly because of its high cost and because the average jewelry buyer has never heard of it.

The most likely place to find gem silica in jewelry is in a high-end jewelry store that sells unique one-of-a-kind items. Customers who shop there are the most likely buyers of such rare, expensive, and interesting items. Gem silica is a material for designers and artists rather than mass market manufacturers.

A significant percentage of the gem silica sold as cut stones today is purchased by gem collectors, investors, and speculators. They are a major market for rare, costly, and unusual gems of all kinds.

ABOVE, is a finished cabachan set in silver made from our OR/Oregon gem silica, BELLOW IS THE SAME CAB illuminated from bellow to show translucent property which is rare and die to this, NOT many will display this property. So pieces like this are valued highly..........  

ABOVE, Is a piece of our turquoise blue OREGON gem silica ( GEM GRADE) which can be faceted by lapidary . BELLOW, is a rough cab made from our more stone textured  Mt. turquoise chalcedony (great for cabbing wet & dry) by hand.


(SOLD)

Gathering minerals in Oregon requires regulations. These regulations include specific limitations on total yearly yield and specific extraction processes which must include but not be limited to the lack of power or driven equipment / heavy machines - or blasting caps which means all samples provided are hand selected and extracted from privately owned and BLM areas manually with pioneering expertise which utilizes all the natural strength and cunning which has been passed through generations of Oregonian ancestry.

To this day it shines through as Oregon once again shows itself to be the last remaining frontier with the highest grade natural gem grade turquoise of the rarest north american robins egg blue with a rich matrix of black brown white gold and green. 


This quality and variance in grade and specific  coloration is virtually non existent in the open gem market. Simply due to the fact that Natural unaltered (Raw) from the ground/ "gem grade" Turquoise is of extreme rarity.

Now due to mines such as the Brisby and the Lander Blue mines shutting down completely and others which are no longer in production, large and small mines are no longer yielding any samples as of 2015. This makes the B.R.C.M. collection and recent samples the highest grade and rarest natural turquoise in the United States.

11990406_1633541553588395_4052477899516495924_n.jpg

 As of late 2014 the best sample available were of low grade and lacking certain matrix inclusions which increase the overall beauty and desirability of any specific sample. Most available pieces to date have been altered or enhanced with plastics and dyes and as of now the available live turquoise normally extracted from open copper mines through contracted sifting of wast dumps has dwindled and shown low quality pieces all around. Our samples have been professionally tested and graded and a copy of the complete matrix and specific mineralogical base components is available to you upon purchase and will be included in every order along with the abstract Report and observation of the sample given to the geological department of a local University in Oregon- mid 07/2015. & determination 09/2015


   



B.R.C.M. OWNER :Malachi sterling ,

               -Field Biologist-

(Discoverer of turquoise in OREGON)

       He is the founder of B.R.C.M. and a specialist in fungal morphology and gemology. Malachi studies fine art and communications at the art institute of Portland Oregon, and actively mines/dive-dredges  and spelunks Oregon's many rivers and cave systems on the weekends. While he is very busy, and is often pushed for days or even weeks without rest ; he still finds time to continue his Professional stringed Composition/songwriting, Illustration, story-Writing, and private philanthropy across the Northwest area and beyond. Malachi raises money for animals schools hospitals and private charity organizations to better the health welfare of the less fortunate, promote the advancement of medical sciences, and provide equal opportunity education to children and families in need. Malachi is a distant descendant of the well known Nez-Perce people and the tribe of chief Joseph who famously said " i will fight no more forever"  Malachi has many naturally inherited skills and abilities such as field survival, food gathering, hunting,fishing from natural tools,building a boat, building shelter, crafting tools/weapons, categorizing and classifying native medicinal herbs, edible plants/berries/roots & fungus. mastery of fire techniques, first aid first response, shamanistic medical witchcraft studies, medieval medicinal concentrates, and gemological and mineralogical healing.

B.R.C.M. mining includes :M. Angelique

(sixth Generation Oregonian)

Angelique is a well educated and seasoned freelance Geologist who classifies and sells minerals with the Raven's Nest prospecting. She is a Geographer, Sociologist and Environmental Advocate as well as a philanthropist, Writer, and photographer. Angelique is an assistant Geological Classification Specialist for me and help identify minerals and artifacts for B.R.C.M. Angelique holds two degrees of higher academics with certificate of Honors in Medical Applications Data Management and an Associate of General Studies, focused on Sociology. Currently finishing her Bachelors of Environmental Science at Portland State University, Angelique also completed one year at Warner Pacific University Business School. While continuing her education and specialized training, Angelique spends her spare time working for animal advocacy and exploring the Pacific Northwest as a prospector in search of the beautiful and magnificent resources and treasures awaiting to behold



Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved. B.R.C.M.

For questions and requests, (503)-274-8760

(Rough) STARTING at $1/gram for the smaller samples and can range to $10/gram rough for larger OR naturally hard samples and can greatly range based on TQI of between $350.00-$1,000.00 per pound depending on mineral type and quality and color based on TQI or other mineral scales /  $1,100.00 - $20,000.00 per kilo depending on type of mineral ( Finished/customized ) $10.00-$150.00 per carat SHAPED AND CABBED or set in custom jewelry or commissions. (negotiable prices and willing to do sale and trades)

 (please report any unapproved activity in our provided link above) ALL PAYMENTS FINAL

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