Where can you find raw turquoise?

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 is raw 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.

Where can I dig for turquoise?

Is raw turquoise worth anything?

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.

Can you find turquoise on the ground?

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.

Top 10 things to know about Turquoise

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.

Is turquoise still mined?

There are some 20 mines throughout the American Southwest that supply gem-quality turquoise, the majority of them are in Nevada, but others are in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

How can you tell real turquoise from fake?

The Scratch Test

Howlite or other materials fake Turquoise is made from are softer stones than genuine Turquoise. Lightly use your nail to scratch a less visible part of the stone like the backside and if it scratches easily, it's howlite. If you aren't able to scratch the stone, it's likely genuine Turquoise!

How much is a pound of raw turquoise worth?

And for turquoise lovers from the United States, we will indicate prices per ounce and pound. The medium quality turquoise usually costs $3 – 5 per carat, which is $15 – 25 per gram, $450 – 750 per ounce, $6795 – 11350 per pound. Gem-quality turquoise price can reach up to $1000 per carat ($5000 per gram).

What's the rarest turquoise?

Lander Blue Spiderweb Turquoise is some of the rarest Turquoise on earth and in high demand, Buyers must beware of impersonators, the highest grade of Chinese Spiderweb Turquoise is often sold as Lander Blue Turquoise, it takes an experienced professional to detect true Lander Blue Turquoise.

Is green turquoise rare?

There are no large deposits of Lime Green Turquoise in the United States and this color of Turquoise is very rare, valuable and highly collectible. To sum it up, Lime Green Turquoise is absolutely a rarity in nature.

Can gold be found in turquoise?

In Nevada, turquoise and Carlin-type gold deposits are found in the same types of rocks, and though sometimes the rocks right in the turquoise deposit are themselves mineralized with gold, other times the bodies of turquoise-bearing rock and gold-bearing rock are located only in close proximity to each other.

What is a Sleeping Beauty turquoise?

Known for its unique color that ranges from chalky-blue, similar to 'robin's egg' blue to sky-blue, to deep-blue, the Sleeping Beauty turquoise is for sure one of the most sought after gemstones in the turquoise world. According to research, the darker it is, the rarer it is.

Can I mine turquoise?

Turquoise is a semi-precious stone, but there is a variety in the quality that makes the price vary as well. Mines in Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado all produce the high-quality stones needed for use in jewelry.

Can I visit a turquoise mine?

Hours: Tours are held Wednesday through Saturday from April through November, and excludes holiday weekends. For more information on planning your trip to the Otteson Brothers Turquoise Mine and the Tonopah area, dial the Otteson's directly at (775) 482-4832.

Why is Sleeping beauty turquoise so expensive?

In 2012, the Sleeping Beauty mine closed and sent prices skyrocketing (not because the mine was spent, but because the copper mine that owned the mining concession sold the mine, and its new owner decided not to pursue the turquoise mining operation, according to Foutz). Buyers used to pay $10 per ct.

What does turquoise rock look like?

Turquoise can be semitranslucent to opaque, with a color that usually ranges from light to medium blue or greenish blue. It's often mottled and sometimes has dark splotches. It might also have veins of matrix running through it (matrix is a remnant of its surrounding rock).

Is turquoise green or blue?

Turquoise takes its name from the gemstone, which comes from the French word for Turkish. Positioned between blue and green in the color wheel, turquoise is a mixture of pale blue and green or blue with a small amount of yellow.

Is Purple turquoise real?

Often called "The Purple Turquoise" sugilite is actually not a turquoise at all. It was first discovered in Japan in 1944 and was named after the man that discovered it; Ken-ichi Sigi. The first specimens were a yellow color and not purple at all.

Can turquoise get wet?

Can you shower with a turquoise jewel? As mentioned before, water and humidity are not recommended. This mineral from dry and arid environments will absorb liquids and chemical products (water, soap, cream, ...) and the colour will be altered.

How can you tell if turquoise is dyed?

Acetone: This involves either soaking your stone in acetone, or rubbing part of the stone with acetone to see if any color comes off. If it does, this means you have a dyed stone.

Is turquoise rarer than diamonds?

By definition of rarity (not market size) turquoise is rarer than diamonds. Diamonds deserve their place in the world of gemstones as a commerce gemstone. They are an easy gemstone and subject to learn about and grade.

What turquoise mines are still open?

Nevada Turquoise Mines - Out of over 160 of the most important Turquoise Mines on earth, there is only one Turquoise Mine still being mined, (on a small scale,) that is the Royston Turquoise Mine near Tonopah, Nevada.

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.