What is the Zachary Process?
Turquoise, first found in the ancient deposits in Persia, has been mined and used for thousands of years. The luminescent blue stone is prized for its clear color, and is frequently used in jewelry and decorative arts. Although turquoise is a relatively plentiful mineral, recent attempts to create less expensive substitutes or enhanced versions have met with considerable success. One secretive method, the Zachary process, may actually increase the hardness, color and luster of the stones used. One of the problems of untreated turquoise is that the color and sheen fade over time. Though initially, the natural stone may be a brilliant sky blue or blue-green, colors will fade to duller greens eventually. The Zachary process is one of many attempts to improve the duration of the mineral and seal its color more solidly. While the process may not use initially gemstone-quality turquoise, the result, according to proponents, is a more brilliant and better-wearing stone that will hold its colo
