Where is turquoise found in North America?
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Where is turquoise found in North America?
Turquoise has been mined all over North America for hundreds of years, but its richest deposits have always been found primarily in the southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada. California has also been a popular source of the opaque blue gemstone over the years, with mines found in San Bernardino and Inyo Counties.
Where can I go mine for turquoise?
Nevada is a turquoise mining mecca—so much of it in fact, that Nevada has more turquoise mines than any other state. Nestled in the hills surrounding the Queen of the Silver Camps, the Royston Turquoise Mine is likely Nevada’s most famous, thanks to the spectacular, specific shade of raw turquoise coming out of it.
Are there any active turquoise mines?
Turquoise Beads have been found at the Chaco Canyon Site dating back over prior to 900 A.D. The Cerrillos Turquoise mines are still being mined on occasion, but not in production.
Where is raw turquoise found?
Mines in California Currently, a mine in Apache Canyon is thought to be the only active mine left in California for the remaining deposits of turquoise. Most known deposits are scattered throughout San Bernardino, Inyo, and Imperial counties. Occassionally people find pieces of turquoise far from any known deposit.
Is turquoise only found in North America?
Turquoise is found in its natural state in places with dry climates around the world. It can be mined in the U.S., Mexico, Iran, Chile, China, and Tibet.
What rock is turquoise found in?
Turquoise commonly occurs in veinlets penetrating weathered, aluminum – rich, sedimentary or volcanic rocks (where it has been deposited near the surface from circulating phosphatic waters) in arid climates, and in small, fine-grained, rounded masses and crusts.
Can you find turquoise on the surface?
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.
Is turquoise still being mined?
Very few mines operate commercially and most of today’s turquoise is recovered as a byproduct of copper mining. Despite the lack of mines in North America, turquoise is readily available on the market, with more than 75 percent coming out of China.
What state has the most turquoise?
Arizona is currently the most important producer of turquoise by value. Several mines exist in the state, two of them famous for their unique colour and quality and considered the best in the industry: the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe ceased turquoise mining in August 2012.
Is turquoise found in water?
The mineral turquoise is formed by a chemical reaction which occurs when water containing specific minerals such as copper and aluminum leak through a rock. It forms in veins, which later then turn into a clump of turquoise.
Where is the best turquoise found?
“The most common places known for good quality turquoise are Iran (Persia), Egypt, Northwest China, Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States. Although there can be mines found in many states, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada are the most common places where you will find them.
What is raw turquoise worth?
How much a turquoise stone is worth is a common question among turquoise collectors. The price of turquoise stones normally range from $1 to $10 per carat but can range from $0.05 to $1000 per carat depending on the quality.
