Number 8 Turquoise
The Number 8 turquoise mine, located in Eureka County near Carlin, Nevada, was first claimed in 1929 and quickly earned a reputation for producing some
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.
Persian
Persian turquoise came from a number of mines in modern day Iran. The stones from all mines show a great color variation. Many mines were
Pilot Mountain
The Pilot Mountain mine is located in western Nevada, east of the small town of Mina. As with most turquoise mines, this mine opened as
Red Mountain
Red Mountain turquoise is found in Lander County, Nevada, in a mining region known for producing several high-quality turquoise types. The Red Mountain mine has
Royston
Royston is a turquoise mine located within the Royston District near Tonepah, Nevada. The Royston District consists of several mines including Royston, Royal Blue, Oscar
Sierra Bella
Sierra Bella turquoise comes from a new mine in the Sonora region of Mexico. It is characterized by a range of green tones – from
Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada turquoise is a recent addition to Nevada’s turquoise legacy, mined in the high desert near Tonopah by the Otteson family. Discovered in the
Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty mine is seven miles outside Globe, AZ. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. The
Sonoran Gold
Mined near Cananea in northern Sonora, Mexico, Sonoran Gold is a relatively new turquoise find admired for its vibrant colors. Stones range from aqua blue
Sonoran Sunrise
Sonoran Sunrise is a vibrant gemstone made of red cuprite and green-blue chrysocolla, not turquoise—though it’s often mistaken for it. Discovered in the mid-2000s at
Stormy Mountain
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
Timberline
Timberline Turquoise, also known as Nevada Blue, comes from the Shoshone Range in central Nevada. It rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s, when