Mining and Classifying Turquoise

Although many stones are used in Native American Indian jewelry, one of the most used and recognized is turquoise. The gem, which is “a hydrous phosphate of aluminum, containing copper, iron and other minerals,” ranges in color from bright green to blue-tinted, the array of which can be found in mines dotting the American Southwest.

For centuries, turquoise mines have produced stones used in Pueblo ceremonies and jewelry. Today, many mines are closed, making turquoise harder to find and, consequently, more valuable.

How Turquoise is Mined

One reason turquoise may have been so prevalent in early Pueblo art is the relative ease with which it can be found. Turquoise deposits can be found in surface rocks and can be separated from the host rock with hand tools. Many deposits lead to larger veins that run deeper underground and/or in mountainsides.

Because the mineral composition of turquoise includes copper, turquoise is often a by-product of copper (and gold) mining. In fact, owners of open-pit copper and gold mines often make more money by selling turquoise mining rights on their property.

Major Turquoise Mines

Turquoise is found all over the world in a number of climates—from the arid Southwest and Chilean deserts to the heavily vegetated mountainsides of central China. Turquoise is usually named for the mine from which it came, and many mines produce turquoise with a characteristic appearance.

Turquoise commonly seen in pieces at Palms Trading Company include:

 

Type of Turquoise		Mine Location	Characteristic Appearance
#8		Nevada	Brown- to black-matrixed light blue (some stones are darker blue, closer to the color of lapis)
Blue Gem		Nevada	Green to bright blue with greenish, golden or brown matrix (usually a naturally hard stone)
Boulder or Royston Ribbon		Nevada (Royston/Pilot Mountain mines)	Often ivory to golden brown with bright blue ribbon or vein of color
Carico Lake		Nevada	Green stone with black or brown spider web matrix
Dry Creek		Nevada	Cream white with brown to gray/black matrix
Kingman		Arizona	Cerulean to dark blue with golden or black matrix
Montezuma		Nevada	Blue-green with dark brown mottled matrix
Morenci		Arizona	Bright blue with reddish brown matrix
Pilot Mountain		Nevada	Blue to blue-green, often on the same stone, with golden brown matrix
Royston		Nevada	Deep green to bright blue with light brown matrix
Sleeping Beauty		Arizona	Sky blue with little to no (light gray) matrix

 

Historically, Native American Indian jewelry may have had turquoise stones mined in New Mexico (Cerillos, Enchantment, Hachita and Santa Rita), but many mines have been closed for decades.

Turquoise Classifications

Because so many turquoise mines in the Southwest have closed in recent decades, natural turquoise has become more expensive. Imitation or highly treated stones have entered the market to provide less expensive materials for jewelry makers. However, the relative value of these stones was not always accurately reflected in prices traders offered. In the interest of consumer protection, the New Mexico Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1973 outlined a turquoise classification system.

The classification system outlines five basic categories, which covers a number of processing methods used to prepare stones for use in jewelry.

 

Turquoise Category	Processing Methods	Description
Natural (highest value)	Water-based polishes	Polish does not affect color
Stabilized	Color stabilized Polymerized or lacquered fractures Oil-based polishes Silicated Waxed/oiled	Processing method may provide obvious color gain as it enhances shine and/or hardens or seals
Treated	Color shot Enhanced matrix Natural enhanced Lacquered and dyed Silicated	Processing method may significantly enhance color and/or matrix contrast as it hardens or seals
Reconstituted	Compressed block	Larger stone created from compressed turquoise nuggets (processing method may or may not add dye)
Block/recon (lowest value)	Dyed plastics	Turquoise stone made of non-turquoise materials

Palms Trading Company carries jewelry by true craftsman, jewelry artists who create unique pieces using the highest quality materials possible. If you have any questions about the type of turquoise featured in a piece, our knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer your questions.