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TURQUOISE FACTS
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Gemstones
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Example Pictures are not necessarily
the highest of grade, rather a good example of a common look from
a particular mine.
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Bisbee Turquoise
The Bisbee mine "the Lavender Pit", near Bisbee, Arizona, is
one of the more famous of the American mines because Bisbee
turquoise (also known as "Bisbee Blue" registered name) was
one of the first put onto the market. The turquoise mine is
part of the Bisbee copper mine (The Copper Queen), the main
operation of the site. Bisbee turquoise has developed a reputation
as a hard, finely webbed or dendrite, high blue stone, known
for its "chocolate brown" matrix. Bisbee Turquoise also comes
in a beautiful dark green color. Most of this turquoise has
already been mined and what is left is in limbo due to circumstances
with the copper mining in the open pit, it is one of the most
highly collected stones. Most jewelry being made with this
stone today is being made via the orders of the current owners
of the mine, the rest (such as ours, which is all hand cut and
mounted by Durango Silver Co.) is found through old "stashes"
or collections that have been obtained.
More
Bisbee Turquoise Information | Bisbee
Jewelry
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Castle Dome
Most of Arizona’s turquoise mines are actually large
open pit copper mines that the turquoise deposits are leased
.The company or person with the lease is called in to mine
the turquoise when they hit a pocket of it as they are copper
minnig. This is a mine that was very active back in the 1970’s.
Being in Albuquerque in the turquoise business in the 1970’s
was very interesting, lots of stone! We bought turquoise from
people that would show up at our shop, we would buy it out
of their trunks of cars, pick up truck beds, hoods of cars
in parking lots.
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Ithaca Peak
The Ithaca Peak mine is located in northwestern Arizona above
the Kingman mine. The Ithaca Peak mine is famous for its beautiful
blue with pyrite matrix. This material is outstanding. It
is owned and operated by the Colbaugh's. It is fairly rare
to get good Ithaca Peak as main production is focused on Turquoise
Mountain. When you do get good Ithaca Peak it is very pricey!
More Ithaca Peak Turquoise
Information
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Kingman
The Kingman mine in northwestern Arizona was one of the largest
turquoise mines in North America. The terms "Kingman" or "high
blue" refer to the blue color usually displayed in this stone.
It has become a color standard in the industry. The mine became
famous for its rounded, bright blue nuggets with black matrix.
Few turquoise mines produced nuggets, especially of this quality.
Old natural Kingman Turquoise is rare. The Colbaugh's own
this mine and the Turquoise Mountain mine, their company name
is Colbough Processing. They have recently gone back into
the section of the Kingman mine and are digging and bringing
our some new Natural Kingman Turquoise.
More Kingman Turquoise
Information | Kingman
Turquoise Jewelry
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Morenci
Morenci Turquoise is mined in southeastern Arizona. It is high
to light blue in color. Morenci has an unusual matrix of irregular
black pyrite that, when polished, often looks like silver. Morenci
turquoise is well known because it was one of the first American
turquoises to come on the market. It is very difficult to obtain
now because the mine is depleted. It is a collectible turquoise.
Morenci Turquoise Jewelry |
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Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty mine is located near Globe, Arizona. Its
turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix.
Sleeping Beauty turquoise is the favorite of the Zuni Pueblo
silversmiths for use in petit point, needlepoint, and inlay
jewelry. This mine is one of the largest in North America and
is still operating.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Jewelry |
Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye"
Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye" turquoise come from the same
mine in northwestern Arizona near the Kingman mine. The mine
was closed in the 1980s. It is light to high blue, with both
webbed and non-webbed matrix. "Birdseye" describes stones from
this mine that show areas of light blue circled with dark blue
matrix, resembling the eye of a bird. It is a beautiful addition
to one's collection.
More Turquoise
Mtn. Information | Turquoise
Mtn. Jewelry |
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Blue Bird Turquoise Mine
The Blue Bird Turquoise mine is a small "ma and pa" operation that nobody knows a whole lot about. We have however been able to back up the mines existence through several reputable gem dealers, miners and artists. We have bought around 50 lbs of the material over the years. It is wonderful medium sky blue to dark blue with quarts and ocassionally pyrite inclusions. VERY PRETTY stuff. Infact I would say it is some of the best true blue turquoise we have purchased. We first bought some at a gemshow in Durango, Colorado and since have only found it at obscure little gemshows where the true miners show up. Definately worth owning.
Example Pictures are not necessarily
the highest of grade, rather a good example of a common look from
a particular mine.
I will continue to add to this list and eventually
attempt to have a listing of all turquoise mines that have existed
in Arizona. I need your help! If you know of another legitimate mining
operation or old mine claim in Arizona, contact me at: durangodillon@gmail.com
Western
Silver Information | Durango
Silver Co.
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