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What is the allure of turquoise?

2K views 21 replies 18 participants last post by  Wildwood 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I see this used as a knot filler in a lot of cases.

To me, it sticks out like a sore thumb, and in almost every case, epoxy would've been the better option.

Just my opinion though…
 
#3 ·
When I first saw it years ago, at a turning exhibition, I thought it was the coolest thing I had seen in a while.

Then I saw it again, then again, and then I began to get tired of it and wondered if they had other colors. Of course they did, but overall it looks like what it is, a nice filler for bad wood, used in turnings, tabletops, and other artsy things.

Now I just like the raw wood look. I guess what comes around, goes around.
 
#5 ·
A smooth filled hole or bark inclusion, in this case a knot hole, will be much easier to clean the dust that will eventually collect in it if left rustic. Turquoise is the most readily recognizable material on the market because of it's appeal to most people.

I personally have removed loose material from knot holes, found another knot that would fit the first knothole, and glued it in with a glue or epoxy, as long as the bonding agent wasn't too obnoxious. In that case, I would used a coloring agent…........... Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#8 ·
It's a matter of taste, some like it some don't. When used to fill knotholes or cracks in walnut or other dark woods, I think it looks amazing. Here is one I did:

Insect Eye Eyebrow Arthropod Human body


Some people I've shown this too find it jarring, but most seem to like it. I hope to make smaller turquoise pieces next time for a more even fill.
 

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#9 ·
I think it is one of those things "easy" to do but very hard to pull off. I have to say most I see distracts from the piece. I find too many in woodworking spend a lot of time trying to show what tricks they can do, what fancy gadget they have to do something, etc… and the work piece reflects (usually screams) to this point.
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Now this " stands out like dogs balls ".

Brown Wood Brickwork Brick Rectangle


Bart and the skulls are way worse than the rest of this.

Personally, bobasaurus' post looks really nice, but for the turquoise.

Don't get me wrong- that grain is to die for, but the turquoise doesn't fit there, for me. Personal taste, is all.
- Texcaster
 

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#14 ·
Being the cheapskate that I am I fill voids in mesquite with a mixture of epoxy and powdered blue chalk. Looks a lot like turquoise but is actually affordable.

- Jim Finn
I'll have to look into that, once I get to working in rough textured projects. I'm a smooth-textured kind of guy, at the moment, though I am learning wood carving. The filling texture could be an interesting effect.
 
#16 ·
Now this " stands out like dogs balls ".

Brown Wood Brickwork Brick Rectangle


Bart and the skulls are way worse than the rest of this.

Personally, bobasaurus post looks really nice, but for the turquoise.

Don t get me wrong- that grain is to die for, but the turquoise doesn t fit there, for me. Personal taste, is all.
- Texcaster

- Dark_Lightning
You do understand my photo is not an inlay ? Those strands are souvenirs from my last visit to the US. Just a joke.
 

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#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm with jtm,
Turquoise in a stone form is cool with the different colors and veins and all,
but turquoise broken into small pcs does nothing for me.
It's just green/blue, you can't even tell it's turquoise, for that matter it just looks like plastic chunks.
Sorry, no offense meant to any of the above, it just doesn't appeal to me personally.
Awesome turquoise:
Colorfulness Food Green Azure Blue

Blue turquoise chunks:
Blue Azure Font Aqua Electric blue

It's just not the same!
 

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#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
I doubt I would ever do it, adn I do think it often looks out of place, but this is a a really slick use of it here. I like this project in every way.

I use it when I want to and as appropriate for the project. I think you can make anything stick out like a soar thumb regardless of what you use.



- mrjinx007
 
#21 ·
Thanks Charles. I used turquoise on the right hand side (sunny side) and another rock which its name escapes me… rooster something to reflect moss growing on shady side of the tree. There are also copper inlay there that appear as though the sun is shining on the tree.
 
#22 ·
Agree using turquoise to fill flaws in wood never compliments final design whether flatwork or woodturning.
We have a poster here that could not understand why people looked at his cracked wood turned bowls filled with turquoise but never bought them!

I do like when people use different inlays that compliment a piece if adds to the overall look. I have seen many materials used like ivory, wood, metal, mineral, powder, sand and stone. Balance and contrasting color should be in harmony with the overall look.
 
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