Regular turquoise is a popular blue stone that has a matrix (remnants of the rock it came from). But sleeping beauty turquoise is revered for its light blue color and clean look with little to no matrix.
What is sleeping beauty stone?
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty Mine near Globe, Arizona. Since the early 1970s, this mine was a major producer of turquoise. Artisans and jewelry companies love Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for its lack of matrix and reliable even color. However, turquoise mining operations ceased in 2012.
Why is it called Sleeping Beauty turquoise?
The Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine was named after the mountain range where it is located, which from a distance is said to resemble a sleeping woman with her arms crossed. Increased government regulations and mining costs led to the mine’s closure in 2012.
Is Sleeping Beauty turquoise still being mined?
It is still being collected from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, Arizona where a small operation of workers mines, processes and ships the stones. The famous Sleeping Beauty Turquoise was actually discovered by accident.
What is the difference between turquoise and Sleeping Beauty? – Related Questions
What is the rarest color of turquoise?
Blue Turquoise
The most-prized turquoise color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes referred to as robin’s egg blue or sky blue in the trade. The traditional source for this color is the Nishapur district of Iran, so you’ll also hear it described as “Persian blue,” whether or not it was actually mined in Iran.
What is the rarest kind of turquoise?
Lander Blue Spiderweb Turquoise is some of the rarest Turquoise on earth and in high demand, Buyers must beware of impersonators, the highest grade of Chinese Spiderweb Turquoise is often sold as Lander Blue Turquoise, it takes an experienced professional to detect true Lander Blue Turquoise.
Are turquoise mines running out?
“We’re saying it’s more rare than diamonds.” Less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide has the characteristics to be cut and set into jewelry. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.
What turquoise mines are still open?
The Kingman Turquoise Mine is the last full-time production mine in the US.
Are we running out of turquoise?
The mineral is becoming scarce and local mines are running dry. Turquoise is still being found and mined overseas and in Mexico, but the price is much higher than a local vendor’s.
Which year did the Sleeping Beauty turquoise mine in Arizona cease turquoise mining?
Sadly, it is certain — in August 2012, the Sleeping Beauty Mine ceased its turquoise mining operation to focus on copper extraction.
Can you still find turquoise in Arizona?
You can generally find turquoise all over North America and in abundance in the southwestern states, such as Arizona or Nevada.
How much is a pound of turquoise worth?
The medium quality turquoise usually costs $3 – 5 per carat, which is $15 – 25 per gram, $450 – 750 per ounce, $6795 – 11350 per pound. Gem-quality turquoise price can reach up to $1000 per carat ($5000 per gram). Turquoise value is rarely expressed in pounds, as such an amount of solid gem material is rare.
Where is the best turquoise found in USA?
Turquoise has been mined all over North America for hundreds of years, but its richest deposits have always been found primarily in the southwestern states of Arizona and Nevada. California has also been a popular source of the opaque blue gemstone over the years, with mines found in San Bernardino and Inyo Counties.
What is the purest turquoise?
Turquoise in its purest form is a hydrous phosphate compound of aluminum and copper, which creates the medium blue color we all know. Persian and Egyptian collectors prefer this medium blue color. Many say that this color is the most valuable because it is the purest, only having traces of copper or aluminum.
Is purple turquoise real?
Real Turquoise will never be anything but a blue-green shade, so if someone is selling “Turquoise” that is purple or another unnatural color, it isn’t real Turquoise.
What is the true color of turquoise?
Turquoise takes its name from the gemstone, which comes from the French word for Turkish. Positioned between blue and green in the color wheel, turquoise is a mixture of pale blue and green or blue with a small amount of yellow.
What do you call fake turquoise?
Turquoise is naturally a soft stone, but howlite (the turquoise imitation), is even softer. This means that if you scratch your stone and it scratches easily, you most likely have a piece of howlite.
Is turquoise in the Bible?
Turquoise, Ex 28:18; 39:11; Ezek 28:13 Turquoise is sometimes referenced in newer translations as the first stone in the second row.
What is the most expensive turquoise?
For example, Persian grade turquoise is the most valuable, the classic “robin’s egg blue” color, because it has trace vanadium and no iron. In the United States, the closest to Persian grade available was found in Arizona’s Sleeping Beauty Mine.
Is turquoise rarer than diamonds?
By definition of rarity (not market size) turquoise is rarer than diamonds. Diamonds deserve their place in the world of gemstones as a commerce gemstone. They are an easy gemstone and subject to learn about and grade.