Colorado Turquoise Mines

Cripple Creek Mine

The Cripple Creek in Teller County, Colorado is the site of a number of small gold mines. Cripple Creek turquoise is found primarily as a by-product of gold mining. There are several Turquoise claims such as the Elkhorn Claim, Florence Turquoise Mine, O'Haver Claim, Roanoke Shaft, Hidden Treasure Turquoise Mine. One of the groups still mining the site are the Bad Boys of Cripple Creek. This area yields some greenish turquoise, and some light to dark blue turquoise with brown matrix. It is a little more common to see turquoise jewelry with Cripple Creek Turquoise. On a rare occassion Cripple Creek Turquoise has been found with gold inclusions.

Leadville Turquoise Mine

Colorado does not have many turquoise mines but the few that it has are good ones. The most famous mine is the Turquoise Chief Turquoise Mine or Josie May Turquoise. The stones usually have a lot of individual character, and vibrant colors. We have not seen much of this material in many years, therefore consider it very rare and hard to come by. Had some silver jewelry with Leadville in it, and it was gorgeous.

Manassa Colorado Turquoise Mine

Manassa turquoise is mined out of Manassa in south central Colorado. It is known for its blue-green to green color with a golden or brown, non-webbed matrix. The Manassa mine is still in production, and owned by the King family, thus the alternate name sometimes used for this turquoise. The Manassa mine used to be call the Lickskillet Turquoise Mine in the old days. This stone is one of our favorite Turquoise varieties! Although, King's Manassa turquoise is gorgeous in turquoise jewelry with sterling silver, the beautiful green color is VERY striking, excellent when used in gold.

Links: More Manassa Turquoise Information | Manassa Turquoise Jewelry

Villa Grove Turquoise Mine in Colorado

Villa Grove Turquoise was some of the finest Turquoise to ever come out of American soil. The Villa Grove Mine in Colorado is currently covered by a small mountain lake created by runoff and a natural spring, therefore is not being mine currently. The Mine was last owned by George Musik and before that by Menless Winfield. The turquoise is vivid deep blue, the only other turquoise we have seen with the highly coveted Bisbee Blue coloration or an absolutely stunning electric blue, the difference is the matrix is gold rather then brownish red, and usually a fine spider web or dendrites. The high-grade Villa Grove Turquoise in our opinion is incomparable, definitely the most beautiful Turquoise we have ever seen including Bisbee, and Lander Blue! The blue in the high-grade is so blue that a few cabs will turn a whole wall blue! This stone is very rare these days, especially the high-grade. Turquoise jewelry should thank Villa Grove for being around to make it greater!

Links: Villa Grove Turquoise Jewelry