Turquoise - An Attractive Gemstone

Turquoise is semi-precious stone that is primarily a hydrous salts of copper and aluminum. The characteristic blue color comes from its copper content. Secondary minerals within the matrix of this mineral can also influence the color of the stone. Aluminum gives the stone shades of green. The presence of trace amounts of zinc can change the stone color to yellow. From the first discovery of this stone in the Sinai some six thousand years ago, to contemporary and traditional Southwestern inlay jewelry, this beautiful blue gemstone has captured the imagination of jewelry designers, and hearts of jewelry wearers around the globe. Its popularity is on the rise today, and fashion magazines often cover new designs and trends in turquoise jewelry. Turquoise can brighten up an outfit – any outfit – like no other gemstone can! When properly cut and polished, and framed in silver settings silver turquoise pendants or earrings stand head and shoulders above all other jewelry. Most of the turquoise on the market today is stabilized using either epoxy resin or vaporized silica. The process makes the stone more resilient and reduces its porosity without sacrificing any of its beauty. Gemologists and jewelers today consider stabilized turquoise to be genuine turquoise. High quality turquoise that can be used in jewelry without stabilization is much sought-after and rare. If you want natural untreated turquoise jewelry, be prepared to pay the price. Less than five percent of the world’s production is good enough to be used in its natural form, and as a result, prices are exorbitant.

The Importance of Turquoise in Jewelry

When turquoise was first discovered during the first dynasty of Egypt over 6000 years ago, the Egyptians appreciated the importance of this beautiful blue gemstone. They held it in high reverence and only allowed people of high standing to own it. But even they could not have imagined how important this stone would eventually become! Today, turquoise is the most sought-after opaque gemstone for jewelry making. The Egyptians were not the only ones to notice this stone. Philosophers Aristotle and Pliny mention this gemstone in their works, and Marco Polo wrote about turquoise in the accounts of his world travels. During those times, turquoise was probably the most expensive gemstone as well. That has changed drastically today, and turquoise is less expensive than rubies and sapphires and several other precious stones. Historically, the demand for turquoise has risen and fallen with the changes in tastes and trends in the worlds of fine and fashion jewelry. However, current trends suggest that the popularity of turquoise in jewelry will continue for a long time. Turquoise is one of the few gemstones that are used in jewelry for women and men. Silver turquoise pendants with colorful and intricate inlays are particularly popular items for women’s jewelry. Turquoise belt buckles, bolo ties, and money clips are common items for men, especially in the West.

Turquoise - Separating the Wheat from the Chaff (Fake vs. Real)

Turquoise is a much coveted gemstone for jewelry all over the world. The best quality turquoise comes from Iran. Specimens from this country are often of such high quality that they can be used in jewelry with only cutting and polishing. Turquoise from most other sources must be stabilized with epoxy resin or vaporized silica. Stabilized turquoise is considered to be genuine turquoise. Because of the high demand for this gemstone, a few unethical sellers have resorted to selling fake turquoise. Here are a few tips to help you distinguish genuine turquoise from fake turquoise. Over the years, sellers have been passing off a variety of materials as “turquoise”. These include ceramics, bone, color-enhanced minerals, and more recently, celluloid and plastic. As the first step, only buy turquoise from reputed dealers that you trust. Even then, ask them to provide written documentation stating its authenticity. The bright blue color should be uniform throughout the stone. An experienced gemologist can identify identify fakes under magnification strengths of 30X to 50X. Plastic fakes weigh much less than natural stone. Look into the hole drilled in the stone. If you see white, it is probably an imitation. Touch a heated pin or needle to an inconspicuous part of the "stone". If the needle goes through, it means that the “stone” is most likely a plastic. Various forms of calcium carbonate are sometimes dyed and passed off as turquoise. Add a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid. If the surface fizzes, it is probably fake.

Turquoise Mining Today

Turquoise is an opaque sky blue gemstone that is exceedingly popular for fine and fashion jewelry today. The United States is the largest producer of turquoise in the world today. The turquoise deposits in the US are primarily located in the Southwest in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado. Nevada boasts of having over one thousand active turquoise mines. The mines in Arizona though provide much better quality turquoise than specimens from Nevada. In Arizona, the mines in Bisbee and Kingman are particularly famous for the gem quality turquoise that is found here. The first commercial mining of turquoise in the US was undertaken in the town of Cerritos near Santa Fe in New Mexico. Today, New Mexico and Colorado are relatively small players in the world production of turquoise. In general, the best quality turquoise comes from mines in Iran. Stones from the Iranian mines are consistently of the highest quality, and require little more than cutting and polishing before being used in jewelry. The first discoveries of turquoise were made in the Sinai by ancient Egyptians. This happened over six thousand years ago. Today, there are few operating commercial mines left in Egypt. Turquoise is also found in a few other countries including Australia, China, and Peru. However, the amount of stone mined here is quite small, and the quality is not particularly good.

Turquoise Jewelry from the American Southwest

Turquoise is primarily comprised of hydrated phosphates copper and aluminum. It is typically found in desert areas with low rain fall and since copper is a key ingredient for turquoise, it is usually in the vicinity of known copper ore deposits. The Southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada are the primary producers of turquoise in the United States. Although the first turquoise mining occurred near Cerritos, New Mexico, this state today has been relegated to a secondary producer of this mineral. Colorado is also a minor producer of turquoise. The best specimens of this beautiful blue gemstone are found in the Kingman and Bisbee mines in Arizona. Volume wise, Nevada is the largest producer of the turquoise in the US, although the quality of the specimens from Nevada is not as good as those from Arizona. Records suggest Native Americans first discovered turquoise nearly a thousand years ago, and were trading this gemstone with tribes in present day Mexico nearly six hundred years ago. Turquoise jewelry from the Southwest is very popular with jewelry fans the world over. The skills, designs, and products from artists here have come a long way since the early days of turquoise jewelry when nuggets were strung together to form necklaces and bracelets. Today, Southwestern artists design and create some stunning sterling silver turquoise pendants with colorful inlays of a variety of gemstones found in the southwest. Artists from each tribe such as the Hopi, Navajo and Zuni use patterns and motifs that reflect their own traditions and beliefs.

The Legend of Turquoise

Ever since turquoise was discovered nearly six thousand years ago, its story has been one of legend and folklore. The Egyptians who discovered this stone were so mesmerized by it that they decreed that only royalty and high priests were allowed to won turquoise. They used it to decorate their palaces and temples. The famous funereal mask of King Tutankhamen has some intricate turquoise inlays. When the Native Americans first found this stone near Cerritos, New Mexico about a thousand years ago, they too developed a deep reverence and respect for it. They believed – and continue to believe – that since its color is similar to that of the sky, and the stone is found just beneath the earth’s surface, turquoise represents the coming together of heaven and earth. With this background, it is not surprising that they included turquoise in their religious rites and ceremonies. Native Americans were not the only civilizations that believed in the divine properties of this stone. Other ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Incas also held this stone in high esteem. Tribes on the North American continent believed that turquoise was a protective stone and a symbol of male power. So brave warriors were honored by being allowed to wear turquoise into battle. One of the more interesting tales about turquoise lies is that some believe that if the stone changes color, the wearer was probably unfaithful! Of course, there is little truth to that belief. The fact of the matter is that turquoise is a porous stone and can absorb moisture and oils from the skin when worn. The absorption of these materials causes the color of the stone to change slightly.

Some Useful Information About Turquoise

Turquoise is a deep blue to bluish-green opaque gemstone that has a characteristic darker dendritic pattern. Chemically, it is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, with lesser amounts of other minerals and metals. Its sky blue color has made it a popular choice for use in pendants, earrings, and other turquoise jewelry. When it comes to jewelry designs with turquoise, the most popular themes are motifs created by native American artisans in the Southwestern United States. Today, turquoise jewelry is available for both men and women. The blue color of this stone stands out, but is yet sober enough to be used in jewelry for men and women. Turquoise jewelry for women is well known. Turquoise rings are popular for men. They can be used to enhance the man’s appearance, and draw attention to yourself. Turquoise cuff bracelets and bolo ties are also popular accessories for men, especially in the West and Southwest. Turquoise is a relatively soft and fragile stone and requires careful maintenance and attention. Jewelry should be individually wrapped in soft cloth and stored in soft cloth bags. To the extent practical turquoise should be kept away from cosmetics, perfumes, and other sprays.

The Glorious Story of Turquoise

The story of turquoise goes back some six thousand years. Well, depending on your perspective, it actually goes back millions of years! Back then, water percolating through bedrock dissolved hydrated phosphates of copper and aluminum, and conveyed this solution to cavities within the formation. Here, the water gradually evaporated leaving behind copper and aluminum precipitates. Over the next several million years, under the influence of geological forces including intense heat and pressure, these salts became petrified and took the form of turquoise that we know today. Then, about six thousand years ago, Egyptians found this beautiful blue gemstone in the Sinai. They had great respect for it, and used it to decorate their temples and tombs. Centuries later, the ancient Persians found large deposits of high quality turquoise in their country, and began mining operations here. Turkey, which is located at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, introduced civilizations in the Mediterranean to this gemstone. Although the mere mention of turquoise conjures up thoughts and images of the American Southwest, it is interesting to note that native tribes on the North American continent were relative new comers when it came to mining turquoise. Turquoise was first mined in Cerritos near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Today, turquoise jewelry from the Southwest has a loyal following all over the world. In addition to being a beautiful gemstone, turquoise is also credited with bringing good luck, calm, and harmony. It is believed to promote healing, protection, and restoration powers. Some believe that it can neutralize acidity, helps relieve the symptoms of rheumatism, provide relief from gout and stomach problems.

The Attraction of Turquoise Jewelry

It would be difficult to find a jewelry fan who does not own at least one piece of turquoise jewelry. In fact, turquoise today is the most popular opaque gemstone in the world of fashion jewelry today. This great demand for turquoise jewelry can be summed up in a few points:

1. Turquoise is an attractive gemstone. It typically has a bright sky blue color because of its copper content. The characteristic dark vein pattern represents the remnants of the parent bedrock.
2. It is a versatile gemstone. Silver turquoise jewelry is the perfect fashion accessory for a casual outfit for a fun evening on the town, or for a more formal occasion. Stabilized turquoise, which is considered to be genuine turquoise by gemologists, is the perfect focal bead for a silver pendant, or a pair of earrings.
3. The blue color of the stone is quite sober and therefore suitable for jewelry for men and women. Belt buckles, bolo ties and money clips of sterling silver with turquoise inlay are popular as men’s jewelry, especially in the West.
4. Turquoise is considered to be a positive gemstone and protects the wearer from physical and mental harm. Native Americans that the blue gemstone represents the confluence of the heavens and earth.

On the Growing Popularity of Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones known to man, and has been in demand for jewelry for many centuries now. When the Egyptians first found this stone in the Sinai some six thousand years ago, only the rich and famous in their society were allowed to own it. This added to the folklore and legend of the stone but did little to enhance its popularity amongst the masses. That happened only several centuries later when turquoise was discovered in Persia. The Turks further helped popularize this blue stone by serving as a gateway to Europe, and becoming a major trading center for turquoise. The popularity of turquoise sky rocketed after its discovery in North America. Today, silver turquoise pendants and other jewelry from the American Southwest are very popular globally, and the demand for turquoise jewelry continues to grow. A little known fact about turquoise is that its popularity in fashion jewelry today is largely owed to a chemical process called stabilization. Most natural turquoise is too soft and porous to be used in jewelry. High quality turquoise that is strong enough to be used in jewelry is rare and expensive. Few fashion jewelry aficionados can afford natural turquoise. However, by infusing specimens of moderate quality with epoxy resin or vaporized silica, the characteristics of the stones can be improved so that they can now be used in pendants and other pieces. This process is called stabilization and has put turquoise jewelry within the reach of hundreds of thousands if not millions of jewelry fans.

Buying Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise has a large and loyal following all over the world. Ever since the ancient Egyptians discovered turquoise nearly six thousand years ago, people have loved it bright blue color. They found that it was a wonderful gem to decorate their homes, tombs, and temples, and was also the perfect gem to be used in fine and fashion jewelry. The sterling silver turquoise pendants from the American Southwest in particular are extremely popular. Our attraction to turquoise comes from the fact that this is indeed a beautiful stone, and a versatile one at that. You can use it with casual as well as with formal outfits. Equally important, turquoise is suitable for jewelry for men and women. The blue color of the stone is bright but is also sober enough to be used in men’s jewelry such as money clips and cuff links. While the beauty of turquoise cannot be denied, its importance in the spiritual and metaphysical worlds is also a significant issue to consider. For example, Native Americans believe that this stone helps the association of heaven and earth, and have incorporated this stone into many of their religious rites. So whether you are enticed by the beauty of turquoise, or are more interested in its metaphysical benefits, you cannot go wrong with turquoise jewelry.

Gifting Turquoise Jewelry

People the world over love to give and receive gifts. When it comes to choosing a gift to the special lady or girl in your life, jewelry is always a safe bet. And in the world of fashion jewelry, few gifts if any are as popular and as welcomed as turquoise jewelry. This is not just mere coincidence. When you give a gift, you are trying to convey to the receiver that you appreciate them, or that perhaps you are proud of her accomplishments. Turquoise jewelry says this perfectly. There is no denying the beauty of turquoise. Its sky blue color and characteristic dark veins have captured the imagination of jewelry designers and the hearts of jewelry fans all over the world. Turquoise is a very versatile gemstone and can be used to liven up a formal as well as a casual dress. It can also be combined with other gems such as coral and pearls. This versatility will give her more opportunities to wear this special piece of turquoise jewelry, and each time she puts it on, she will think of you with love and fondness. Furthermore, turquoise is no recent fad that has hit the world of fashion jewelry! This gemstone has a long and rich history. Having been discovered by the Egyptians nearly six thousand years ago, this is the oldest gemstone known to man. Even in North America, Native tribes have been using turquoise for about a thousand years now. Throughout the ages, civilizations have had special respect and reverence for this beautiful stone. So when you gift turquoise jewelry, you are gifting jewelry that is beautiful and has deep meaning. And she will appreciate you for that.

Turquoise Production - Current and Historical Perspectives

Egypt was the first country to mine turquoise. Turquoise mines in the Sinai were reported to be producing turquoise nearly six thousand years ago. Today however, Egypt is only a minor producer of turquoise. The mines in Sinai produce little commercial grade turquoise. Some minor mining activities are in operation in other parts of the country. Persia or present day Iran was probably the second country to mine turquoise. The quality of Persian turquoise was much better than the Egyptian specimens. To this day, Iran continues to produce some of the best quality turquoise in the world. Turquoise was discovered on the North American continent about one thousand years ago. It was first mined in the town of Cerritos near Santa Fe, New Mexico. That source however, has been depleted by overexploitation, and today New Mexico is only a minor producer of this gemstone. The best quality turquoise in the US is mined in Arizona. The mines near Bisbee and Kingman have consistently produced turquoise that are of the highest quality, and in great demand for turquoise jewelry made in the Southwest. Nevada boasts of having over a thousand operational turquoise mines. The product from Nevada however is not comparable to turquoise from Arizona. Nevada however, is the largest producer of turquoise in the US. Overseas, China, Australia, Chile, and Peru have some turquoise mining operations, although the quality of specimens from these countries is only moderate. The turquoise from China in particular is generally of low quality.

The Popularity of Turquoise Through the Ages

Turquoise has steadily gained in popularity since it was first discovered by Egyptians some six thousand years ago. The Egyptians however, did little to spread the popularity of this stone in the masses. Instead, they restricted its ownership to royalty and high priests. Centuries later, major deposits of this gemstone were found in Persia or present day Iran. Although Persian turquoise was of much higher quality compared to specimens from Egypt, the Persians placed no restrictions on who could and could not own and use turquoise. This helped make turquoise much more popular in the region, and the demand for turquoise jewelry spiked sharply. The spread of turquoise from Asia to Europe was facilitated through Turkey, which at one time was a major trading center for turquoise. The use of turquoise by Native American tribes in the Southwest United States is only a relatively recent event. Records suggest that native tribes here started using and trading turquoise about a thousand years ago. More recently, the demand for turquoise in jewelry designs has been affected by the prevailing trends in the world of fashion. In the 1970s, the demand for turquoise jewelry was quite high. But then, fashion trends changed, and demand for turquoise dropped in the 1980s. At the turn of the century however, it appears that the demand for turquoise is on the rise again. Currently, turquoise is the most popular opaque gemstone for jewelry.

How to Maintain Turquoise Jewelry

Once you’ve bought yourself a beautiful piece of turquoise jewelry, it is important to take good care of it so that you can enjoy its beauty for many years to come. There are a few simple things that you can do to maintain your jewelry. It is important to remember that turquoise is only moderately hard and the process of stabilization not withstanding, can be quite porous and fragile. Keep turquoise separate from other gemstones such as quartz or diamonds. These materials are harder than turquoise and can scratch the surface of this gemstone. When storing your jewelry, wrap each piece and a soft cloth and store in separate jewelry bags. Put on jewelry after makeup, and remove jewelry first as you unwind at the end of the day. This is because turquoise can be adversely impacted by perfumes and other cosmetics. You can safely clean turquoise jewelry using warm water and a gentle soap. Do not use harsh chemicals or metal brushes to clean turquoise. Do not wear turquoise jewelry when you go swimming. The chlorine in the pool water may harm the jewelry. Finally, if your turquoise jewelry also has other gems such as pearls or coral, remember that these materials may be more delicate than turquoise. Accordingly, the cleaning methods you use should be protective of the both materials in the jewelry.

Turquoise in the American Southwest

Turquoise is an opaque gemstone that is commonly used to make sterling silver turquoise pendants and other fine and fashion jewelry. It is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum compounds, and the copper gives the stone its sky blue color. Turquoise is often found in association with copper deposits. The exception to this is Iran, which produces some of the best quality turquoise specimens. Here, turquoise is found in trachyte deposits. In the United States, turquoise is found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada in the large copper deposits found in these states. Over the past several centuries, turquoise has played an important part in the arts and culture of the Native American tribes of the great American Southwest. For centuries now, it has had spiritual and religious significance members of the various tribes. Most of these religious beliefs stem from the fact that turquoise is found within the earth but its color is similar to that of the heavens. They believe that because of this combination, turquoise helps in bringing together heaven and earth. Their early attempts to use turquoise in jewelry were quite primitive, usually consisting of a few nuggets strung together to form necklaces and bracelets. Artists here honed their skills over the years, and today, the jewelry they design and make has gained a legion of loyal followers the world over.

A Basic Guide to Turquoise

The history of turquoise started tens of millions of years ago, when water percolating through rocks rich in copper and aluminum dissolved salts and conveyed them to cavities in the rock where the salts were precipitated out from solution as the water evaporated. Under intense pressure and temperature generated by natural geological processes, these salts hardened to form turquoise in the form that we know today. Records suggest that it was first mined by the Egyptians nearly six thousand years ago. The Egytians however restricted ownership of turquoise to people of high standing in their society. Centuries later, turquoise of much better quality was found in Persia, present day Iran. Turkey played a key role in spreading turquoise around the world. Specifically, because of its location as a bridge between Asia and Europe, this country became a key trading center for turquoise, and helped spread turquoise to Mediterranean civilizations. Turquoise pendants have become synonymous with the American Southwest. However, it is important to note that in historical context, the Southwest is a relatively new comer in the field of turquoise jewelry. Records suggest that Native Americans first found turquoise near Santa Fe in New Mexico. The turquoise jewelry designed and created by skilled artists in the Southwest helped popularize turquoise all over the world. Today, turquoise is the most expensive and most popular opaque gemstone in the world of fashion jewelry.

Turquoise Fact Sheet

Turquoise is a hydrated form of copper aluminum phosphate. The presence of copper in the stone gives turquoise its characteristic blue color. The dark dendritic pattern seen on the surface of the rock represents the remnants of the parent bedrock within which the turquoise was formed. Although copper and aluminum are key constituents of turquoise, other substances are also present in varying but trace quantities. In some cases, these other elements can influence the color of the specimen. Other elements present in trace quantities may alter the color of turquoise. Turquoise usually has a specific gravity of about 2.7, and is moderately hard with a Mohs hardness ranging from 5 to 6. Most turquoise must be stabilized before it can be used in turquoise pendants and other jewelry. Stabilization is usually done by infusing the stone with epoxy resin or vaporized silica. Sometimes, a dye is added to the resin in order to modify the color of the stone. Stabilization using vaporized silica represents the current state of the art in jewelry design. For fiscal reasons however, epoxy resin is the most commonly used stabilizing agent.

Turquoise - An Ageless Favorite

Turquoise was discovered by the Egyptians some six thousand years ago. This makes it one of the earliest gemstones used by man. An examination of historical records show that both Aristotle and Pliny mention this beautiful stone in their works. Marco Polo also wrote about it in his travel accounts. Native Americans believe that this stone has religious significance because it represents the coming together of heaven and earth. Tibetans often use this stone in religious rituals. Some believe that the word “turquoise” comes from the French word ‘turqueise’ which translates to “Turkish stone”. Turquoise is an extremely popular gemstone today. In fact, it is the most expensive and widely used opaque gemstone in the world of jewelry today. Among the numerous jewelry designs that have been created around turquoise beads, none are more popular than the sterling silver turquoise pendants from the American Southwest. Artists here have finely honed their skills and techniques had have learned to create magnificent works of art using laminae of turquoise and other precious and semi precious materials framed in sterling silver displays. To the casual observer, all turquoise inlay pendants from the southwest may appear to be the same. It is important to know however, that the various tribes such as the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni all have their own designs and motifs that represent the tribe’s religious beliefs and superstitions.

The Spiritual Benefits of Turquoise

All through the ages, ever since turquoise was discovered nearly six thousand years ago, civilizations the world over have had a special reverence for this sky blue gemstone. In ancient Egypt, this gemstone was used to decorate adorn the palaces, temples, and tombs of important people such as kings and queens. They believed that this stone had significant spiritual benefits, and priests often wore silver turquoise pendants to signify their close connection with the heavens. Turquoise also has great spiritual significance for Native Americans. Native American tribes used this gemstone more for the spiritual and religious sentiments associated with this stone, as opposed to its physical beauty. Native Americans believed that this stone was the coming together of heaven and earth. Even today, turquoise is believed to have beneficial metaphysical properties. To some believers that the subtle changes in the color of this gemstone indicates changes in the health of the wearer. This gemstone is believed to have protective properties and promotes well being. Turquoise is believed to help the physical and spiritual parts of our mind connect with each other. It also enhances friendship, love, loyalty, and trust.

Types of Turquoise

When looking to purchase turquoise jewelry for yourself or for someone you love, you will encounter several terms used to describe the turquoise in the piece. This brief note provides some information on the various types of turquoise in the market today. Most turquoise that is mined today is too soft and porous to be used directly in jewelry. However, about five percent (three percent by some estimates) is dense enough and hard enough to be used for jewelry after just cutting and polishing. This high quality turquoise is called “natural turquoise” and is quite rare and expensive. Before being incorporated into jewelry, most turquoise specimens must be stabilized using either epoxy resin or vaporized silica. This process reduces the porosity and increases the resilience of the stone. Virtually all turquoise used in fashion jewelry today is stabilized. The lowest grade turquoise in the market today is reconstituted turquoise. Turquoise dust and chips generated during cutting and polishing are ground to a fine powder, mixed with clear epoxy resin, and allowed to set in blocks. After the blocks harden, they can be cut and carved into desired shapes and forms. The dark vein pattern that is so characteristic of other types of turquoise is conspicuously absent from the reconstituted form of the stone.

Turquoise - A Brief Primer

Turquoise is an opaque blue gemstone that has been popular in jewelry designs for many centuries now. Turquoise pendants, earrings, and necklaces have a loyal following the world over. From a chemical standpoint, turquoise is a combination of phosphates of copper and aluminum in a hydrated state. Millions of years ago, natural water from rain and other sources percolated through rocks that contained salts of copper and aluminum. These salts were dissolved in the water and transported to openings in the rock formation. A series of chemical reactions later, these salt deposits were transformed into turquoise in the form that we recognize it today. Historical records suggest that the earliest turquoise mines were developed in Egypt in the Sinai peninsula. Today however, Egypt is not a major commercial producer of turquoise. Today, Iran has the reputation for producing the best quality turquoise. Turquoise mines in Iran are located within trachyte formations. Specimens from these mines are generally sky blue to pale green and are famous for their high quality the world over. The Southwestern United States is also a major producer of turquoise today. Turquoise from mines in Arizona produce specimens that rival the quality of turquoise mined in Iran. Nevada boasts of having the largest number of mines in the country. Turquoise from Nevada however, is not of as high quality as that from Arizona. The earliest turquoise mining in the US was carried out near the town of Cerritos near Santa Fe, New Mexico.