Locations of Turquoise mines and sources and descriptions of samples from each.
This Geology and Geography section will help you find the locations of mines and sources of Quartz and other minerals, gemstones, semi-precious stones, metals and other natural resources. From the Brazilian Mining phenomenon to other locations of World mining locations for Global Resources for mineral deposits, mineral mines and Gold mines.
Most
Turquoise deposits are in arid to semi-arid regions in igneous rock
formations that contain high copper concentrations. Deposits of Turquoise
can be found in Afghanistan,
Africa, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Chile,
China, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia,
Siberia, Tanzania,
Turkey, and the United States.
USA-There
are Turquoise deposits in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Virginia,
California and Colorado. American Turquoise specimens are generally
greener than stones from around the world and have white or brown
matrices. Most pieces of Turquoise from the US are too pale, porous or
chalky; only about 10% of the Turquoise recovered in the US is of gem
quality. The Arizona copper mines-These
mines are famous for many exquisite mineral specimens, including
Turquoise. Virginia-Miners found the first examples of
crystalline Turquoise in Virginia in 1911, but Virginia has never been a
source for much gem turquoise.
Middle East-The major sources are in the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. Iran-The finest of the world’s Turquoise specimens come from the deposits in Northeastern Iran. The stones from here have the much sought after Robin’s Egg Blue with few or now streaks and are among the most valuable opaque gemstones. To no surprise Turquoise is the national gem of Iran. Sinai Peninsula-The Egyptians began mining Turquoise here as early as 5500 BC.
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