Stormy Mountain turquoise is a celebrated Nevada stone known for its deep blue color with a dramatic dark matrix. The material is typically medium to dark blue in tone, flecked with black chert host rock that creates a “stormy sky” effect in the polished gems. In its finest form, Stormy Mountain turquoise was very hard and occurred in sizable veins, yielding high-grade cabochons with a striking blue-black contrast. The distinctive look and durability of this turquoise have made it a favorite for bold, statement jewelry.
The Stormy Mountain mine was discovered in the early 1970s during construction of a road in Elko County, Nevada. It produced exceptionally fine turquoise in its heyday, but the mine is no longer actively worked. Today Stormy Mountain turquoise is rarely seen outside of old collections, and any stones available to jewelers typically come from decades-old stock. Because of this rarity, jewelry featuring genuine Stormy Mountain turquoise is highly valued. Southwestern artists often reserve such stones for standout pieces, knowing the rich blue and stark black marbling create a dramatic, classic Southwestern look that is increasingly hard to find.
