Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ecsvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!unc!mcnc!ecsvax!phco
From: phco@ecsvax.UUCP (John Miller)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india,net.religion,net.philosophy,net.physics
Subject: Re: Comment about Uri Geller
Message-ID: <1405@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Jun-85 09:07:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1405
Posted: Wed Jun  5 09:07:03 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Jun-85 01:31:04 EDT
References: <436@oakhill.UUCP> <3759@alice.UUCP> <440@oakhill.UUCP>
Reply-To: phco@ecsvax.UUCP (John Miller)
Organization: Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lines: 26
Xref: watmath net.nlang.india:406 net.religion:7048 net.philosophy:1871 net.physics:2549
Summary: 

>Then her husband, Ray, noticed that one of the pieces of turquoise she held
>earlier and had since laid down was an ugly shade of dark blue.  Notice that
>this was seen after it had been put down and Uri (if he was a good magician)
>could have possibly handled it without their realizing.  The question is
>what could he have done to have caused the change?
>
>The turquoise was Indian jewelry (a man's neck piece) positioned in silver
>and quite expensive.  The two were quite upset when it dawned on them that
>they just had an expensive item destroyed, although the circumstances would
>be something unique to tell grandchildren.  Unlike the other events I gave
>earlier concerning Uri, I know nothing about turquoise and there may be some
>easy way that a chemical could cause discoloration and thus an easy fake to
>be had.

Turquoise is quite porous and very easily discolored by dyes, oils (including
those in human perspiration), and acids.  Even plain water can cause 
temporary alteration in color.  Depending on the quality of the turquoise,
Geller may not have needed to even touch the stone; if her hands perspired,
that by itself might be enough to cause temporary discoloration.


-- 

                        John Miller  (ecsvax!phco)
                        Dept. of Pharmacology, Univ. of N.C.-Chapel Hill
                        Chapel Hill, NC 27514       (919) 966-1153