What is Metal Matrix Composites
Share
💜 Mohave Purple Turquoise & Metal Matrix Composites
What is Mohave Purple Turquoise?
Mohave Purple Turquoise is a distinctive composite material produced by Colbaugh Processing in Kingman, Arizona. Colbaugh owns the rights to the historic Kingman Turquoise Mine and is recognized as one of the largest turquoise stabilizers in the United States. Mohave Purple is created by taking low‑grade chalk turquoise, compressing it, stabilizing it with resin, and dyeing it vivid purple. To enhance its visual appeal, metallic matrix materials such as brass or copper are added during the reconstitution process, creating striking veins that mimic natural matrix patterns.
Other Metal Matrix Composite Materials
Beyond Mohave Purple, Colbaugh Processing produces a wide range of metal‑matrix composites. These materials combine turquoise fragments with metals like copper, bronze, or brass, resulting in cabochons and beads with bold, glittering matrix patterns. The process involves:
- Stabilization: Resin impregnation to strengthen chalky turquoise.
- Dyeing: Introducing vibrant colors such as purple, green, or orange.
- Metal infusion: Adding brass, copper, or bronze shavings to create metallic matrix veins.
- Compression: Reconstituting the material under pressure for durability and polishability.
The result is a durable, colorful composite that is highly popular in jewelry making, especially for statement cabochons and designer beads.
Metaphysical Properties
Although Mohave Purple Turquoise and other composites are man‑made materials, many collectors and jewelry enthusiasts attribute metaphysical qualities to their bold colors and metallic matrix. Purple turquoise is said to symbolize creativity, intuition, and spiritual insight, while the metallic veins of copper or bronze are thought to represent grounding, strength, and resilience. Together, these composites are often described as stones of balance between imagination and stability, making them popular in metaphysical jewelry and meditation practices.
Sustainability & Recycling
One of the unique aspects of Colbaugh Processing’s composite blocks is their use of small or scrap turquoise fragments that would otherwise be discarded. By stabilizing and compressing these fragments with resin and metallic matrix materials, Colbaugh creates durable cabochons and beads from material that would not survive cutting in its natural state. This process not only produces vibrant, artistic composites but also represents a recycled and sustainable approach to turquoise utilization.
Comparison of Composite Materials
| Material | Appearance | Metaphysical Associations | Lapidary Notes | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohave Purple Turquoise | Vivid purple with brass/copper metallic veins | Creativity, intuition, spiritual insight | Cuts cleanly; resin stabilization allows high polish; avoid UV fading | Made from scrap turquoise fragments; recycled material |
| Copper Matrix Turquoise | Blue/green turquoise with glittering copper veins | Grounding, vitality, strength | Copper veins require careful shaping to avoid undercutting | Uses small turquoise pieces combined with copper scrap |
| Bronze Matrix Turquoise | Warm bronze metallic veins with dyed turquoise | Balance, resilience, grounding | Polishes well; bronze veins add durability | Recycled turquoise fragments stabilized with bronze inclusions |
| Multi‑Color Dyed Composites | Bold colors (red, orange, green) with metallic matrix | Creativity, joy, expression | Uniform hardness; easy to cut and polish | Maximizes use of chalky turquoise otherwise unsuitable for lapidary |
📚 Sources & References
🌟 Own a Piece of Mohave Purple Turquoise
Explore our collection of metal‑matrix composite cabochons, including Mohave Purple Turquoise, Copper Matrix, Bronze Matrix, and other artisan composites produced by Colbaugh Processing. Each stone is stabilized, polished, and ready for use in jewelry or collecting.