Here is an overview of the main turquoise mining locations around the world.
The Southwest United States is the foremost source of turquoise in the world. For hundreds of years, Native American tribes like the Navajo and Apache mined turquoise across the Southwest. Major deposits are found in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada. Some of the most famous turquoise mines are located near the city of Kingman in northwest Arizona. Other noteworthy mines are in the Cerrillos Hills near Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Pilot Mountain region of Nevada.
Several factors make the American Southwest an ideal location for turquoise formation. The region's arid climate, tectonic activity, copper deposits, and volcanic rock formations all combine to produce significant turquoise reserves. Most Southwestern turquoise is found in vein deposits or nuggets in weathered volcanic rocks. Arizona turquoise is highly desired for its dark blue color while New Mexican turquoise tends to have a greener tone.
After the Southwestern U.S., Iran is likely the second largest source of turquoise in the world. The famous turquoise mines of Nishapur in northeastern Iran have been mined for over 2,000 years. For centuries, Persian turquoise was traded along the ancient Silk Road to China and the Near East. Iranian turquoise is noted for its uniform sky blue coloration. Other deposits in Iran are found near Mashhad and those in the Kerman province produce a distinctive turquoise called "spiderweb turquoise" with dark vein patterns.
China is another major producer of turquoise. For at least 3,000 years, turquoise has been mined in the Hubei and Sichuan provinces of central China. Chinese turquoise varies widely in quality and color, from deep blue to yellowish green. The most coveted turquoise is found near Mount Emei in Leshan, Sichuan. Fine examples of Chinese turquoise often lack the matrix found in Southwestern American turquoise. Other turquoise deposits in Tibet were important for trade along the Silk Road.
In central Asia, Afghanistan was once a major source of turquoise traded along the Silk Road. The finest Afghan turquoise came from the Samineh Mine near Kunduz which was already ancient when Alexander the Great conquered the region. Unfortunately, decades of conflict have made mining turquoise in Afghanistan difficult. Similarly, the turquoise mines of Siberia, dating to over 2,500 years ago, have not been fully explored due to their remote locations.
Smaller quantities of turquoise are mined in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, India, Tanzania, and even Europe. In Bisbee, Arizona, a turquoise variety with unusual black spiderweb matrix formations is found. While turquoise is found on almost every continent, the American Southwest, Iran, and China remain the foremost producers of this colorful gem. From indigenous peoples like the Apache to Persian rulers and Chinese emperors, turquoise has long been prized across the world for its beauty.
