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.
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