Collection: Bisbee Turquoise

Bisbee turquoise is highly prized for its rarity, the many shades of blue and the black to reddish colors of its matrix webbing.

The Bisbee mine in Arizona was owned by the Phelps Dodge Mining Company and was closed in 1975. It had become one of the richest mines in the world producing huge quantities of copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc and several other minerals. Production efforts at the mine did not include gemstones. Material that would include turquoise was simply hauled away and discarded. Miners that recognized the beauty and value of the Bisbee turquoise would remove small amounts even though prohibited to do so. The quality of the turquoise created a demand in the southwestern jewelry industry that became fairly intense. Eventually, small amounts were removed from the mine and sold.

The demand for Bisbee turquoise has always exceeded the available supply. It is rare, highly collectible and some of the best turquoise to have ever been found. We are fortunate to have some material and from time to time produce cabochons for sale.