Apache Blue
Apache Blue turquoise comes from a small family-run mine in the Candelaria Hills near Tonopah, Nevada. Recently reopened by the Otteson family, this mine yields
Turquoise Information
Types of Turquoise
Natural Turquoise
Natural turquoise means that the rough rock has not been altered. The stone comes out of the mine and is only cut and polished. Natural turquoise remains porous and may change color over time. This turquoise is usually a hard 5-7 on the Mohs scale and will polish to a high shine. Silver Sun specializes in natural American collectable turquoise.
Stabilized Turquoise
Stabilized turquoise stone comes out of the mine and is too porous to be cut into beads or cabochons. It is still good stone, but it needs to be hardened using epoxy resin. Using this method will harden the turquoise so it is easier to carve (Zuni fetishes) and it will remain the same color. Silver Sun uses stabilized turquoise because it is more affordable and can be used in our production items.
Enhanced Turquoise
Enhanced turquoise is stone that is hardened with an electrical current in a water and copper solution. This process, also known as the J Zachery Treatment, does not inject any chemicals and only hardens the stone. This is the next best thing to natural. Enhanced turquoise will actually test out as natural. Silver Sun uses enhanced Sleeping Beauty turquoise and clearly labels it as such.
Color-Treated, Color-Enhanced, or Color-Infused Turquoise
Color-Treated, Color-Enhanced, or Color-Infused Turquoise are each very soft, dull colored and very low grades of turquoise. Both dye and epoxy resins are added to the stone to deepen the color and harden it.
Silver Sun does not sell this grade of turquoise.
Reconstituted Turquoise
Reconstituted turquoise is very, very low-grade turquoise that is crushed into dust and remade into a solid form using plastic resin. It can resemble natural turquoise, but will not test as natural. If the sample contains 80% turquoise, it can be labeled as genuine turquoise.
Silver Sun does not sell this type of turquoise.
Imitation Turquoise
Imitation turquoise, sometimes called simulated turquoise, is not turquoise at all. It is dyed plastic and should be labeled “turquoise color,” not turquoise. It contains no turquoise stone at all.
Silver Sun does not use this material in our jewelry.
Turquoise Mines
Silver Sun uses only the finest turquoise available today.
We draw upon a variety of mines still operating, and some that have closed, using the precious remaining quantities still available in today’s market.
Click on the name of the turquoise mine that you would like to learn more about. Each description states where the mine is located, the color of the turquoise, typical features and characteristics unique to the mine.
Armenian
Armenian turquoise comes from the Teghut mine in northern Armenia, near the town of Teghut. It displays vibrant green-blue hues with a swirling, mottled matrix,
Bisbee
This brilliant deep blue turquoise is one of the most expensive and rare. Bisbee has a reputation as a hard, finely webbed, strikingly brilliant blue
Blue Diamond
The Blue Diamond mine, located in central Nevada, opened in the late 1950’s and was mined up to 1980. The stones that this mine produces,
Blue Gem
The Blue Gem mine, which is no longer active, produced almost every shade of green and blue turquoise imaginable. The Blue Gem mine site is
Blue Moon
Blue Moon turquoise is sourced from the Royston mining district in Nevada and is mined primarily by the Otteson family, known for their extensive history
Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge turquoise, also known as Orvil Jack turquoise, comes from a mine in Lander County, Nevada. It was originally claimed by Orvil and Bessie
Campitos
Campitos turquoise comes from the Campitos Mountain region of Sonora, Mexico and is known for its vibrant medium sky-blue hue. Stones from this mine typically
Candelaria
Candelaria turquoise comes from the Candelaria Hills near Tonopah, Nevada, an area mined since the late 1800s. The turquoise is a byproduct of a copper,
Carico Lake
Carico Lake turquoise is known for its clear, iridescent, spring green color which is due to its zinc and copper content. Carico Lake stones can
Castle Dome
The Castle Dome turquoise mine is located about 30 miles from the Sleeping Beauty mine, near Globe, Arizona. The Castle Dome mine has not been
Catalina
Sierra Nevada turquoise comes from a high-desert mine in central Nevada, operated by the Otteson family. Located near Tonopah—close to the Royston and Candelaria districts—this