Turquoise

Turquoise is hydrous copper oxide plus aluminum phosphate, formed under high temperatures near copper deposits.  It’s becoming more difficult to locate large deposits of turquoise in this country.  To those of us in the business, the most valuable turquoise is exceptionally dense and has deep colors and comes from one of the closed mines in the Southwest – such as Lone Mountain, Number 8, Lander Blue, Bisbee and King’s Manassa. 

We buy most of our stones direct from the mine owners and give them to our metal smith for our unique, one of a kind pieces.  Below is a list of some of the mines we represent:

Bisbee – This turquoise is a by product of the huge Lavender Pit copper mine which is now closed.  Bisbee turquoise is famous for its deep blue color and its smoky brown matrix.  The pit is located in Cochise County, Arizona. Shop Bisbee Turquoise Jewelry

Morenci – This turquoise is in large demand because of its blue colors and iron pyrite matrix (fool’s gold).  The name comes from the open pit Morenci copper mine.  The pit is located in Greenlee, County, Arizona. Shop Morenci Turquoise Jewelry

Lone Mountain – The mine produced a large assortment of turquoise including some fine examples of spider web. The mine is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Shop Lone Mountain Turquoise Jewelry

Sleeping Beauty – This mine produces a uniform blue turquoise that can be easily matched into sets and used in different styles of jewelry. most Zuni needlepoint is Sleeping Beauty.  It has a white matrix that is generally dyed black with shoe polish.  The mine is located in Gila County, Arizona. Shop Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Jewelry

Number Eight – Number Eight is famous for its black, golden red and brown Spider web varieties.  The mine is located in Eureka County, Nevada. This Turquoise is considered rare since it has not been mined for over 50 years. Shop Number Eight Turquoise Jewelry

Fox – Fox is one of Nevada’s most productive mines.  The area where the mine is located produces a large amount of good quality green or blue green turquoise with a distinctive matrix.  The mine is located in Lander County, Nevada. Shop Fox Turquoise Jewelry

Blue Gem – This mine is closed but when it was open it produced almost every shade of green and blue turquoise one could imagine.  Blue gem was located about six miles south of Battle Mountain within a huge copper mining operation.  It is located in Lander County, Nevada. Shop Blue Gem Turquoise Jewelry

Kingman – This mine has produced stone with little or lightly colored Matrix.  It is located in Mohave County, Arizona. Shop Kingman Turquoise Jewelry

King’s Manassa – This is gem quality turquoise at its finest.  King’s Manassa is best known for its beautiful greens with golden matrices but blue and blue-green have been found also.  This mine is located in Conejos County, Colorado. Shop  King's Manassa Turquoise Jewelry

Pilot Mountain – This active mine produces a large amount of turquoise with an assortment of colors ranging from blue to green with dark brown, black or reddish matrix.  It is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Shop Pilot Mountain Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise Mountain – This mine offers stones with uncommon Blue and green colors.  It is near the Kingman mine but is considered its own mine because the turquoise is so different in appearance.  It is located in Mohave County, Arizona. Shop Turquoise Mountain Jewelry

To shop for Turquoise American Indian jewelry, please click here