We are in the process of learning about the new mines material we are offering. We don't claim to be experts and do welcome any information that might be helpful to us. Below are some "highlights" that we will continue to update as needed. ~Roxanna & Roger
Ajo, Arizona
The turquoise is a by-product of the New Cornelia copper mine there. The mine has been shut down since 1984.
Overlooking the New Cornelia Pit in Ajo, AZ.
Apache Mine, Nevada
This turquoise mine is owned and operated by a woman and her son in Austin, Nevada. This turquoise is very unusual and very hard. There is a new vein in this mine! It is proving to be as beautiful & exciting as the original material!
San Carlos Apache Reservation
The reservation was first established in 1871 by President Grant. For a time, the reservation housed many bands of Apache, Mojave, and Yuma Indians who were relocated from their homelands. Later, separate reservations were created for the Mojave and Yuma Indians leaving San Carlos for the Apache who are descendants of the Athabascan family which migrated to the Southwest in the 10th century.
The largest of the Apache reservations, covering just under 1,900,000 acres is the San Carlos reservation lying east of Phoenix, AZ. It is home to over 7,100 Apaches from various old bands, making it the seventh largest reservation in the United States based upon population estimates from the 1990 census.
It was to the San Carlos Reservation that the great chief Cochise was taken, along with his followers, after his surrender in 1873. It was from here that Geronimo led his followers when they broke for freedom from the oppression of the U. S. military.
The Apache bands found on the reservation include the Aravaipa, Chiricahua, Coyotero, Mimbreno, Mogollon, Pinaleno, San Carlos, and Tonto. Their reservation was created in 1871 and reduced five separate times to accommodate white miners seeking copper and silver.
This Turquoise is very similar to Turquoise from the nearby famous Sleeping Beauty mine.
Bisbee, Arizona
The Bisbee Lavender Pit Mine, near Bisbee, Arizona, is one of the more famous of the American mines because Bisbee turquoise was one of the first put onto the market. The turquoise mine is part of the Bisbee copper mine, the main operation of the site. Bisbee turquoise has developed a reputation as a hard, finely webbed, deep intense blue stone with slight transparency and a dark reddish-black mottling or veining. Sometimes whisps or veils are present and is then called "Smokey Bisbee." Most of this turquoise has already been mined, and it is one of the most highly collectible stones. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in ""Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 32
Bisbee, Arizona looking toward the Lavander Pit.
Blue Gem Mine
The Blue Gem Mine has been noted for the great variety of colors it produces, especially the deep blue to the deep green combinations of colors in a single stone. This has become such a distinguishing feature of Blue Gem turquoise, that similar stones from other mines are often sold as "Blue Gem" turquoise. This mine is near Battle Mountain and began producing in 1934. Also, there is no Battle Mountain mine despite the fact that uninformed persons sometimes refer to Blue Gem by this name. *Oscar T. Branson- "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 16
Bonanza Mine, Nevada
A mine outside Mina, Nevada. Not a lot is known about this mine.
Carico Lake, Nevada
Carico Lake turquoise is named after the location of its mine on a dried up lake bed in a high, cool area of Lander County, Nevada. Its clear, iridescent, spring green color is due to its zinc content and is highly unique and collectible. Carico Lake turquoise is also found in a dark blue-green color with a black, spider web matrix. The Carico Lake mine is primarily a gold producing mine. However, from time to time, the mining company leases the turquoise producing part of the mine to individual miners who are permitted to work that part. The limited amount of Carico Lake turquoise and the limited amount of time allowed to mine it combine to make Carico Lake turquoise a valuable addition to one's collection. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 25
CERRILLOS / TIFFANY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Cerrillos in Santa Fe County is not only an uncommon and unique form of native New Mexican turquoise, but has a history entwined with both ancient Native peoples of the Southwest and more recent American mining companies. Cerrillos turquoise was created and mined under unusual circumstances. It is the only turquoise that formed at the base of a volcano. Thus, a variety of colors developed from the minerals in the various volcanic host stones. In fact, seventy-five colors have been identified, from tan to khaki-green to rich, blue-green to bright and light colors. The Cerrillos mine is the oldest mine of any kind in North America. Located ten miles south of Santa Fe, it was the site of the largest prehistoric mining activity on the continent because the huge turquoise deposit was partially exposed at the surface. The Pueblo peoples continued to extract turquoise from the Cerrillos mine until the 1870's when a silver mining boom raised interest in the area. The Tiffany Company in New York and its associates bought up the mine area and extracted $2,000,000 worth of turquoise between 1892 and 1899.
Chinese Turquoise
Turquoise is found in several localities in China and has been mined since the ancient times. The color ranges from very dark blue through light blue into green. Most of the material has a brown to very black veining or matrix resulting in an attractive large spider web. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 55
Crescent Valley, Nevada
The mountains in this Lander/Eureka counties area is the home to several mines. And the same is true of the Battle Mountain area only 25 miles away. Both areas provide quality Nevada turquoise.
Damele Mine, Nevada
The Damele (Damali, Damale) mine is located thirty miles from Austin, Nevada. Damele turquoise is distinctive because of the zinc content that turns the stone yellow-green and increases its hardness. The matrix of Damele is webbed with a dark brown to black matrix. Its availability is limited because the mine is small. Due to its rare color, Damele is a collectible turquoise. Another factor in Damele being a low producer is that the mining operation is greatly hindered by the claim's lack of water.
Darling Darlene Mine, Nevada
This mine was discovered in 1972 by Joe Barredo and named for a daughter. The turquoise occurs in seams and nuggets from light to dark blue and a deep blue-green. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 42
Fox Mine, Nevada
The Fox Mine near Cortez, NV in Lander County was discovered about 1910 or 1912. It has been active since 1915 as one of the greatest turquoise producers of NV. It is estimated to have produced over 1/2 million pounds and is still producing fine turquoise. *Oscar T. Branson- "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 15
Hachita Mines, New Mexico
The Hachita Mines composed of the Cameo, Azure, Galilee and Aztec are a very old group of mines near Hachita, Grant County, NM. The turquoise here is predominantly green. The matrix is light to dark brown. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 51
Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah
One of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world, Kennecott's Bingham Canyon mine is located about twenty miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake, in the Oquirrh mountains. The 2.5-mile wide excavation descends in a series of stepped levels down into the earth. The enormous work trucks in the deeper levels of the mine appear to be no bigger than toys from the observation deck.
Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah
Kingman, Arizona
Kingman Turquoise comes as a by-product from a large open-pit copper mine in the Mineral Park Mining District, northwest of Kingman, Arizona. It was mined first by Indians many years before the Europeans came to America and later by a number of individuals and companies. New franchised miners and dealers sell the turquoise commercially. Although there are quantities of fine deep blue turquoise available, a large percentage of that mined is being treated or stabilized. The colors run from light blue to very dark blue with some tints of green. The matrix is from light brown to black and frequently flecked with pyrite. In the past, some of the medium to good quality stones changed color sometime after being cut. It seems that the good quality being produced now is fairly color stable. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 52
Morenci, Arizona
Morenci Turquoise is mined in southeastern Arizona in Greenlee County. It is light to dark 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. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 49
Clifton/Morenci Copper Mine in Arizona.
Northern Lights, Nevada
Northern Lights Turquoise.is a real nice dark almost a military green. This mine is located beside the Carico mine about 80 miles north of Austin , in Lander County, Nevada. Lander County has produced some of the best turquiose in the world.
Blue Ridge Mine, Nevada
Orvil Jack was said to be a one-armed miner, but we have recently become aware of the fact that is just a "tale". Thanks to his family for some corrections on the "specs" of this mine. He discovered and developed the mine in the Bullion mining district in Lander County, Nevada. The rare yellow-green color of the turquoise comes from the zinc content. Mr. Jack is now deceased, but his daughter continues to manage the mine. Only the green from the mine is referred to as "Orvil Jack", this mine has been in production since 1956. and is usually only mined a little during the summer.
Papoose Mine, Nevada
The Papoose mine North of Austin Nevada. The mine operated in the 70's producing deep blue and greenish-blue with dark brown to black matrix. This mine is not workable in the winter due to snow. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 50
Royston, Nevada
Royston is a district in Nevada consisting of three turquoise mines: Bunker Hill, Oscar Wehrend, and the main producer, Royal Blue. Royston is known for its beautiful colors ranging from deep green to rich, light blues set off by a heavy brown matrix. The Royston district is still producing some turquoise of high quality, but in limited amounts. Most is a relatively soft turquoise and should be given proper care to maintain ones' investment. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in ""Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" Page 20
Santa Rita, New Mexico
This turquoise is a by-product of the large open pit Chino copper mine east of Silver City, New Mexico in Grant County. The colors range from pale blue to very deep blue.*Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page51
The Kneeling Nun Mountain overlooking the Santa Rita Pit in New Mexico.
Sleeping Beauty Mine, Arizona
This mine is in Gila County. Turquoise comes from the oxidized part of the Copper Cities Open-pit mine. Sleeping Beauty is a solid stone (no matrix) that ranges in color from Royal Blue to a very light Sky Blue.
Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Arizona.
SMITH MINE, NEVADA
A TEXAS COLLECTOR says "It is possible that someone named Smith took over a mine and named it the Smith Mine. But I still think that something is in the back of my mind. I think one of the old families had a daughter that married a Smith and a mine with that name came from that."
Tyrone, New Mexico
This Phelps Dodge mine is near Silver City, New Mexico and the Turquoise comes mainly in light blue, but other shades as well. It often is found with Pyrite. *Oscar Branson covers this mine in "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" page 51
White Owl Mine, Nevada
White Owl is mined somewhere north of Austin, Nevada. The mine owner is being very closed mouthed about it. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the "white" Turquoises that are being offered these days. Some people say it's NOT Turquoise, others say it is. All we know is that when we bought the rough, we were told it was definitely Turquoise. Roger showed some of the material to a geologist who affirmed that Turquoise can come in a white form. Regardless, one must admit that this material, as all "white" Turquoise, is very interesting and very beautiful.
*Oscar T. Branson's book- "Turquoise- the Gem of the Centuries" is one of the most comprehensive informational books we have found on Turquoise. We do have this book, in paperback, available on page 4 of the website. Page 4
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