| The natural cool colors of turquoise just seem to | | | | southwest. There are many famous American |
| make it a gem that is easy to appreciate and | | | | turquoise mines spread throughout the |
| enjoy. From the Ancient Egyptians and early | | | | Southwestern US, chiefly in Nevada, Arizona and |
| Chinese civilizations to the Native American tribes, | | | | New Mexico, but also in Colorado and California. |
| mankind around the world has treasured turquoise | | | | American turquoise comes in a wide diversity of |
| for centuries as the ancient stone of the earth | | | | blues and greens - there are many colors and |
| and sky. It really is no wonder that turquoise | | | | patterns to choose from. The bulk of the |
| seems to hold some raw, primitive quality, as | | | | production from each mine tends to have certain |
| turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever | | | | characteristics, so the collector will seek to |
| worked by mankind - it has been treasured for | | | | purchase gems with those specific traits to show |
| thousands of years. It is soft enough to be | | | | the best examples of each mine. As an example, |
| shaped, polished and fashioned into jewelry with | | | | certain mines in Nevada are well known for their |
| simple tools - hence its use from the earliest | | | | spider web patterned turquoise, and the collector |
| times of man's civilization. | | | | may seek turquoise from that mine which shows |
| Handcrafted turquoise jewelry just seems to | | | | that pattern in its most attractive forms. |
| have an enduring natural beauty and a raw, | | | | Probably more than any other gem, turquoise has |
| primitive quality. Although a bright blue shade | | | | been subject to the ups and downs of the fads |
| comes to mind for most people, turquoise actually | | | | of fashion. This has been true for over a century |
| comes in a wide range of colors from a bright | | | | in the US, with the first surge in demand coming |
| green, to greenish blue to bright royal blue shades. | | | | in the early 1890s. Those of us who are old |
| Not too cheap, but not overly expensive - natural | | | | enough, we remember when turquoise was really |
| turquoise is an affordable souvenir of mother | | | | in vogue and popular during the 1960s and 1970s. |
| earth. | | | | At that time, the strong demand caused a huge |
| Starting a collection of turquoise jewelry is actually | | | | increase in turquoise prices, and much turquoise |
| very easy, and the desirable attributes of this | | | | was mined in Nevada. The popularity of Turquoise |
| beautiful gem just seem to grow on you as your | | | | fell off somewhat in the 1980s, but it has been |
| collection expands. Turquoise is an investment | | | | consistently increasing in popularity in recent years |
| that does not need to be locked away in a vault, | | | | and is poised for another comeback. Many fashion |
| because you can enjoy your jewelry as you | | | | magazines have featured turquoise jewelry |
| wear it. The tides of fashion have turned in | | | | recently. Well-known entertainment personalities |
| recent years, and the beautiful blues and greens | | | | once again regularly feature turquoise to |
| of turquoise are again coming back into the | | | | accessorize their wardrobes. Both Lapidary Journal |
| mainstream. Trend setting magazines once again | | | | and Rock and Gem magazines have done special |
| regularly feature turquoise and well-known | | | | "turquoise feature" issues within recent years. |
| entertainment personalities use it to accessorize | | | | There has been a "run" on rough turquoise the |
| their wardrobes. Most people who collect turquoise | | | | last couple years in at the famous Tucson gem |
| jewelry organize their collections around one of | | | | shows. Prices for rough are increasing - in fact its |
| two concepts: | | | | quite difficult to buy high quality natural rough |
| 1) The first is to collect the work of famous | | | | turquoise. Every day more and more people are |
| jewelry artists. Certain artists are partial to | | | | coming to appreciate the enduring beauty of fine |
| specific recognizable styles and patterns, which | | | | turquoise. While it is true that fashion trends will |
| then become the hallmark of their work. | | | | come and go, fine quality always endures and |
| Some collectors specialize only in the works of | | | | never goes out of style. Natural, gem-grade |
| well-known Native American artists, often trying | | | | turquoise will always stay beautiful to look at and |
| to specialize in a few particular artists, and | | | | be exciting to wear. |
| collecting several examples of their work. Others | | | | To learn more about Natural American turquoise, |
| will also include the work of Anglo artists who | | | | take a look at our turquoise information center: |
| have been trained in the ways of making Indian | | | | If you would like to see some of our beautiful |
| style jewelry. These other artists are also of | | | | turquoise jewelry and purchase some turquoise |
| interest, as some have become very successful | | | | directly from the mine owner, take a look at our |
| in their craft. It is also true that while most | | | | turquoise jewelry: |
| turquoise is mounted in Indian style silver jewelry, | | | | Chris Ralph writes on small scale mining and |
| there is also some very beautiful turquoise | | | | prospecting for the ICMJ Mining Journal. He is a |
| jewelry made in very classy contemporary styles. | | | | rock hound and prospector and owns his own |
| 2) The second concept is to collect the gems of | | | | turquoise mines in Nevada. |
| specific American turquoise Mines of the desert | | | | |