Turquoise: History, Formation, and the Unique Character of American Mines
Feb 10, 2026
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones used by humans, treasured for thousands of years for its distinctive blue-to-green color and cultural significance. From ancient Egyptian burial masks to Southwestern Native American jewelry, turquoise has held deep symbolic meaning, often representing protection, healing, and connection to the earth and sky.
Today, turquoise remains especially important in American jewelry making, where stones from historic mines each carry their own color signatures, matrix patterns, and collector value. Understanding what turquoise is — and how American mines differ — helps collectors and jewelry buyers appreciate why no two stones are ever truly alike.
What Is Turquoise?
Turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate mineral. Its signature color comes primarily from copper, which produces the classic sky-blue tones most people associate with high-grade turquoise. When iron is present, stones often shift toward green or teal shades.
Turquoise forms when water rich in copper and aluminum moves through host rock — often volcanic or sedimentary rock — and deposits minerals over time. This is why turquoise is commonly found in arid regions with historic volcanic activity, like the American Southwest.
Because turquoise forms in veins or nodules rather than large crystal formations, it is typically cut into cabochons or used in natural nugget form.
Key characteristics used to evaluate turquoise include
- Color – Blue is generally most prized, but green and teal can be highly desirable depending on origin.
- Matrix – The webbing or host rock pattern running through the stone.
- Hardness – Ranges around 5–6 on the Mohs scale.
- Stability – Some turquoise requires stabilization to improve durability.
Why American Turquoise Is So Valued
The United States — particularly Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico — produced some of the most collectible turquoise in the world. Many mines are now closed, making natural stones from these locations increasingly rare and valuable.
Each mine tends to produce turquoise with consistent “fingerprint” characteristics.
Famous American Turquoise Mines and Their Characteristics
Bisbee Mine (Arizona)
Known for some of the most collectible turquoise ever mined, Bisbee turquoise is famous for deep blue color with chocolate brown or black matrix.
Typical traits:
• Deep, saturated royal blue
• Dense spiderweb matrix
• Often high hardness and natural stability
Bisbee stones are highly sought after by collectors and often command premium prices due to the mine’s closure.
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Sleeping Beauty Mine (Arizona)
Sleeping Beauty turquoise is known for its clean, bright sky-blue color and minimal matrix. This made it extremely popular in commercial jewelry and modern Southwestern designs.
Typical traits:
• Bright robin’s-egg blue
• Little to no matrix
• Smooth, uniform color
The mine has largely ceased turquoise production, increasing demand for existing stones.
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Kingman Mine (Arizona)
One of the oldest and most productive American turquoise mines, Kingman continues to produce turquoise today.
Typical traits:
• Medium to bright blue
• Black or brown matrix
• Wide variation in patterning and hardness
Kingman turquoise is often considered an excellent balance of quality and accessibility.
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Number Eight Mine (Nevada)
Number Eight turquoise is considered one of the classic collector stones in American turquoise history.
Typical traits:
• Light blue to blue-green
• Golden brown spiderweb matrix
• Distinctive high-contrast patterns
The mine closed decades ago, making authentic Number Eight highly collectible.
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Royston Mine (Nevada)
Royston turquoise is loved for its earthy, natural look and wide range of colors.
Typical traits:
• Blue, green, or teal tones
• Brown or golden matrix
• Often forms in striking two-tone stones
Royston stones are especially popular in artisan and handmade jewelry.
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Carico Lake Mine (Nevada)
Carico Lake turquoise stands out for its unique color range.
Typical traits:
• Bright spring green to light blue
• Often minimal matrix
• Occasionally vivid “electric” green
High-grade Carico Lake stones are prized for their unusual color saturation.
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Pilot Mountain Mine (Nevada)
Pilot Mountain produces turquoise known for dramatic contrast and bold matrix.
Typical traits:
• Bright blue to green-blue
• Dark spiderweb matrix
• Strong, graphic patterning
Great for statement jewelry pieces.
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Lone Mountain Mine (Nevada)
Lone Mountain turquoise is known for hardness and fine spiderweb patterns.
Typical traits:
• Medium to deep blue
• Tight black spiderweb matrix
• Often naturally hard and durable
Highly respected among collectors and silversmiths.
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Why Mine Origin Matters in Jewelry
For collectors and jewelry buyers, mine origin helps predict:
• Color stability
• Hardness and durability
• Rarity and long-term value
• Visual style (clean vs webbed vs earthy)
For handmade jewelers, mine origin often becomes part of the story behind a piece — connecting the jewelry directly to a place and geological history.
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Natural vs Stabilized Turquoise
Many turquoise stones on the market are stabilized, meaning they are treated with resin to improve durability and color consistency. Natural, untreated turquoise is rarer and often more expensive, especially from historic American mines.
Neither is inherently “bad” — stabilized turquoise can be excellent for everyday wear — but transparency about treatment is important in ethical jewelry practices.
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The Future of American Turquoise
As more historic mines close or produce limited material, American turquoise continues to increase in rarity and collector value. This has increased interest in:
• Traceable mine origin
• Responsibly sourced stones
• Handmade jewelry using natural materials
For many people, turquoise isn’t just a gemstone — it’s a piece of American mining history and Southwestern cultural heritage.
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