Sterling Turquoise

Sources Of Turquoise In The Us

Copper and aluminum are the main ingredients in turquoise. This stone is generally found in areas of low precipitation and high evaporation, and typically in close proximity to copper deposits. When it was first discovered around 3000 BC, only important people in society were allowed to own it. Things have changed since then, and today a sterling silver turquoise pendant or some piece of other jewelry containing turquoise is a must for every woman’s wardrobe, especially in the Western states in the US. This article discusses turquoise mining in the United States.

Arizona
Arizona has several large copper deposits in turquoise can be found in close proximity to many of these locations. One of the most productive and famous turquoise mines in the US in the Bisbee mine. For many decades, the turquoise mine was operated as part of the copper mining being conducted here. This mine has produced some of the best quality turquoise in the world. The specimens are hard, bright blue, and have a well distributed pattern or fine dark veins. The mine is known to produce gem quality specimens that require no additional treatment other than cutting and polishing before use in jewelry. The other big copper deposit in Arizona – the Morenci mine – also has turquoise associated with it. The specimens here generally are aqua blue in color and contain black iron pyrites. The turquoise from Morenci takes a good shine and is some of the best in the world. Both these mines now produce only small amounts of turquoise. The Sleeping Beauty mine near Globe is the largest operating turquoise mine in the US. The characteristic of turquoise from this mine is that it has little if any vein pattern. For many years, the turquoise mine in Kingman was famous for its high quality stones. There is no production at the Kingman mine today.

Nevada
The Royston area in Nevada has a few operating mines. Of these, the Ajax mine is perhaps the smallest and the most recent. The specimens from this mine are blue, or a combination of blue and green. The unusual color of the specimens from this mine has raised interest in this prospect. Turquoise from the Damali mine sometimes contains zinc. The presence of zinc causes the stone to be yellow in color, and also makes it harder than most other turquoise. The Dry Creek mine in Nevada is also worthy of mention. The turquoise here contains a relatively high amount of aluminum. So the specimens from this mine are light blue, and sometimes have no blue coloration at all. The turquoise found in Esmeralda County is generally in the form of nodules. The stones range in color from solid blue, to blue with the characteristic spider webbing.

New Mexico
The Cerrillos mine in New Mexico deserves special mention. The first turquoise mining operations were carried out here, about 10 miles from Santa Fe. The color of the stone has ranged from khaki green to a brilliant bluish green. The specimens from this mine are generally very hard and can be polished to a high shine. Production from this mine today is quite low. For many years, the Tyronne mine near Silver City was known for its turquoise production. However, a change in the copper mining process here has put an end to turquoise mining here.

It should be noted that although gem-quality turqoise is always preferred, some applications may be better suited for a lower grade stabilized turquoise peice.  An example of this would be a freshwater pearl necklace where turquoise is used as a secondary element such as accent beads or a pendant.

About the Author

Gemstone jewelry and digital hi-tech are two subjects that are dear to this author.  He reads extensively about gems, their properties, and their origins.  He has also authored several articles on cheap MP3 players of good quality, personal monitors, and personal computers.

do you think this outfit is cute for the first day of school?

ring-

it is cute, maybe try some black sandals from forever21(:

Project 2 Part 2 of 18, Sterling Silver and Turquoise Ring

20855 BLUE ARIZONA TURQUOISE 925 STERLING SILVER PLATED EARRINGS JEWELRY $7.99

Natural Genuine Turquoise Earrings 925 Sterling Silver hooks w Turquoise beads $9.98

Turquoise Earrings Beads Genuine Turquoise Earrings and 925 Sterling Silver $9.98

Sterling Silver Native American Design Turquoise Money Clip $71.82

Sterling Silver Native American Design Turquoise Money Clip $70.68

GREEN TURQUOISE VINTAGE PENDANT+STERLING NECKLACE-VERY FANCY SET-EXC. CONDITION $16.50

Green c Turquoise Sterling Silver Plated Ring SZ 6.5 g8 $0.99

Sterling Silver 20″ TINY TURQUOISE DREAMCATCHER NECKLACE $12.22

Blue Copper Turquoise Gemstone 925 Sterling Silver Solitaire Ring Sz 7 Lot#1R $22.00

Vintage 8ctw Turquoise 925 Sterling Silver & 14k Gold Rope Latch Bracelet 101.8g $329.99

Sterling Dangle Turquoise Hoop Earrings ON SALE & FREE SHIP $29.99

Dainty Turquoise Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings New $16.95

Turquoise Marquise 925 Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings $19.95

TURQUOISE 925 Sterling Silver Necklace India $22.95

New Rainbow Moonstone and Turquoise Dangle 925 Sterling Silver Earrings $17.95

Smok n’ Alchohol Q-Bic Flask – Hand-made, polished pewter, 4oz Q-bic flask with engraved Tattoo Skull design. Made from Fine English Pewter. $64.45 Smok n’ Alchohol Q-Bic Flask – Hand-made, polished pewter, 4oz Q-bic flask with engraved Tattoo Skull design. Made from Fine English Pewter….

Sterling Industries 111-1113 Metal Buffet Lamp with Turquoise Pleated Satin Shade $142.20 Light Bulb:(1)100w A19 Med F Incand Metal Buffet Lamp With Pleated Shade – Turquoise Table Lamp. On/Off socket switch…

Sterling Industries 111-1114 Metal Buffet Lamp with Purple Pleated Satin Shade $142.20 Light Bulb:(1)100w A19 Med F Incand Metal Buffet Lamp With Pleated Shade – Purple Table Lamp. On/Off socket switch…

Metal Buffet Lamp With Pleated Turquoise Shade 111-1113 Metal Buffet Lamp With Pleated Turquoise Shade Sterling Industries 111-1113 Height 33″ Width 12″ Length 12″ 1-Light Accommodates 100W Medium base bulb (not included) Constructed from steel / ceramic materials Shade measures 11.5″ x 11.5″ x 9″…

Navajo Handcrafted Sterling Silver Turquoise Barrette. Choice of Bear Paw or Traditional Dsign These Special, handcrafted Hair Barrettes are made by Virginia Johnson of Navajo, NM. Hair Clip is stunning. Made out of .925 sterling silver and genuine free form blue turquoise stones. Bear paw clip has bear paw design with 5mm turquoise, and the other one has traditional indian tooling with 3 free from blue turqoise. stones. The hair backing clip is stainless steel for durability….

Green Turquoise Jasper Long Cushion Stretch Bracelet $19.95 Green Turquoise Jasper Long Cushion Stretch Bracelet…

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Jasper Section Stretch Bracelet $12.95 Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Jasper Section Stretch Bracelet…

Saint Benedict Double Sided Medal Key Chain – 1.0 Height – Silvertone – Made in Italy $5.62 Saint Benedict Double Sided Medal Key Chain – 1.0″ Height – Silvertone – Made in Italy…

.925 Sterling Silver Stamped European Turquoise Hawaii Ocean with Flowers Murano Glass Bead Charm $6.45 You don’t need to travel all the way to Hawaii as along as you have this bright blue bead, adorned with beautiful Hawaiian flowers. This bead has a .925 sterling silver core, and is suitable for 3mm Cable European Charm Bracelets. It is interchangeable with other European bead charms, and is compatible with Pandora, Troll, Chamilia, Biagi & other styles of European bracelets. Quality beads sell at…

Native American Sterling Silver Turquoise Navajo Belt Buckle-Leonard Maloney Handmade sterling silver and turquoise belt buckle by noted artist Leonard Maloney. Lifetime warranty….