Nevada is a major source of high-quality natural turquoise. The state’s geology, rich in copper deposits, creates the necessary environment for the formation of this unique hydrous copper aluminum phosphate mineral. This abundance has earned Nevada turquoise the moniker, “Jewel of the Desert.” The deposits yield a spectacular spectrum of colors and a variety of host rock patterns, making them highly prized by collectors and jewelry makers globally.
Major Turquoise Regions in Nevada
The primary concentration of turquoise deposits in Nevada follows a north-northeasterly belt, with the most productive areas centered in a few key counties. Lander County in the central part of the state is a major hub, home to the historically significant Carico Lake mine. This area is particularly noted for producing rare shades of bright mint and yellow-green turquoise, which is attributed to an elevated zinc content in the mineral composition. The famous Red Mountain mine, also in Lander County, yields stones with an intricate, often reddish-brown spiderweb matrix that is highly sought after.
Further south, Esmeralda County is another core region for turquoise, containing the Royston mining district, which straddles the county line with Nye County. The Royston district is known for its blend of colors, often showing rich blues and deep greens within the same stone, typically set off by a heavy golden-brown matrix. Within Esmeralda County, the Candelaria Hills area includes the Ajax and Lone Mountain mines, which produce a range from clear, deep blue stones to various spiderweb patterns. The Pilot Mountain district is also a notable producer, situated along the southern slopes of the Pilot Mountain range in Mineral County, yielding deep blue-green colors with a black to golden-brown matrix.
Legal Considerations for Rockhounding
Anyone seeking to collect turquoise must first confirm the land status of the area they intend to search, as rockhounding is strictly regulated across the state. The most accessible areas are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which generally permit the casual collection of minerals for personal use. This non-commercial collection is subject to specific volume limits, typically defined as up to 25 pounds of material per day, with an annual limit of 250 pounds. Collectors must limit any digging to hand tools and cannot use motorized or mechanical equipment, such as backhoes or explosives.
A significant legal barrier is the presence of active mining claims, which are common across Nevada’s mineral-rich public lands. Collecting any material, including turquoise, from an established and active claim is illegal without explicit, written permission from the claim owner. Before venturing out, it is necessary to consult with the local BLM office to obtain maps and verify claim boundaries, as these claims grant the holder exclusive rights to the minerals within that area. Collecting on private property is also strictly prohibited without prior consent from the landowner.
Characteristics of Nevada Turquoise
The appearance of turquoise is determined by the trace elements present during its geological formation. The stone’s color is primarily governed by its metal content, with copper yielding the desired shades of blue. The presence of iron results in a progression toward the various tones of green, while a significant amount of zinc can produce the unusual yellow-green hues seen in material from mines like Damele or Carico Lake.
The second defining characteristic is the matrix, which is the remnant of the surrounding host rock that appears as a pattern of veins or webbing within the turquoise. Nevada turquoise often features a black matrix from chert or a golden-brown matrix from iron oxide. The highly valued “spiderweb” matrix occurs when these thin veins of the host rock interweave throughout the stone. High-grade turquoise is distinguished by its darker, richer color, greater hardness, and low porosity, which makes it less susceptible to fading or color change over time.