Turquoise Shopping Tips: Part 2 in a Series

When buying turquoise, there are many things to take into consideration: color or combination of colors and the type of matrix or lack thereof. The deepest colors are the most rare and the fine, spiderlike matrix is the least common.

Many people purchase turquoise that is mined from a particular area. Bisbee turquoise is from Arizona, while Number Eight is from a mine in Nevada. Tyrone turquoise is from New Mexico, as is the highly-prized green colored Cerrillos turquoise.

There are over 100 named turquoise mines around the world. Many mines are named after a nearby town, such as Kingman (Arizona) or the above-mentioned Cerrillos. Others are named after the miners themselves, like McGinnis or Godber.

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