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Bisbee Turquoise
Set in 14K Gold and Sterling Silver
Bisbee Blue or Bisbee turquoise refers to turquoise that comes from copper mines located in Bisbee, Arizona.
Although small amounts of turquoise were initially found in the Campbell shaft mine and in streambeds in the Mule Mountains, the vast majority of Bisbee turquoise surfaced when the Phelps Dodge Corporation started open pit mining operations at the location now known as the Lavendar Pit . Large amounts of a conglomerate rock bed needed to be removed before copper ore could be reached. This conglomerate "waste" rock was the host for most of the turquoise, both in vein and nugget form. Bisbee turquoise can be found in many different shades of color and quality, from soft, low quality pale blue to the quality hard brilliant blue turquoise and almost every shade of blue in between.
Since the copper mines closed in the early 1970's Bisbee Turquoise has not been actively mined for years although it is still considered one of the most desirable turquoises. All of the turquoise listed here is natural untreated turquoise which I have purchased directly from the rock cutter. Most of our Bisbee turquoise jewelry is made by local artisans and the craftsmanship is exceptional.
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