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Chinese Turquoise Mines
Turquoise Mine List | Grades & Quality | Healing Beliefs | Physical Properties | Spiritual Beliefs | Symbolism | USGS History | General Information | Other Gemstones | Rough Turquoise for Sale | Birthstones | Mineral Testing

Example Pictures are not necessarily the highest of grade, rather a good example of a common look from a particular mine.

China Turquoise

As you can see
Chinese Turquoise
can be very beautiful
but it has no value on
todays market as the
foriegn and domestic
dealers have exploited
it beyond belief.

Chinese/Tibetan Turquoise
Hubei - Dragon Skin - Emperor's Turquoise - Blue Ridge

There is evidence of turquoise use in China dating at least as far back as 1700 BC as evidenced by a bronze plaque with turquoise overlay from the Erlitou culture site in Menan Province displayed at the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. Although some turquoise was mined in China in ancient times, more commonly it was acquired in trade with Mongols, Persians, and Turks. Mostly the Chinese used turquoise for carvings and other art. Jade has been the preferred stone for jewelry in Chinese culture. The Tibetians, on the other hand, have preferred turquoise to any other gemstone and virtually every Tibetian possesses some turquoise. Believed to bring good luck, it is worn set in rings and bracelets, as beads in necklaces, and as adornment directly on hats and other clothing. Domestic animals such as horses wear necklaces of felt with turquoise sewn on. Today China has mines that produce a great deal of turquoise. Northwest of Shanghai is the Ma'ashan turquoise mine, and the Hubei Province produces turquoise in colors reminiscent of the now closed mines in Nevada. This turquoise ranges in color from sky blue to spring green as well. Today there are no known producing mines. Chinese turquoise has usually been stabilized, meaning a clear epoxy has been applied to the surface to harden the stone before setting. A side effect of the process is that stabilized stone is less likely to absorb lotions and body oils, which may change the color of the stone over time. Turquoise from mines in China accounts for about 80% of the stone on the U.S. market today, due to the scarcity of American turquoise. Only a handful of turquoise mines in the American southwest are commercially operating. Unfortunately this turquoise and its dealers has put most of the American miners out of business. We just can't make a dollar or two per day breaking our backs! It is a shame that the chinese did not treat these mines with respect, they could have been the Debeers of Turquoise, when this stuff first hit the market there was material that you could not tell was chinese or Lander Blue. Great stuff, I can't wait till the american market appreciates it more.

Huge Specimen of spiderweb chinese turquoise

Example Pictures are not necessarily the highest of grade, rather a good example of a common look from a particular mine.

I will continue to add to this list and eventually attempt to have a listing of all turquoise mines that have existed in China. I need your help! If you know of another legitimate mining operation or old mine claim in China, contact me at: durangodillon@gmail.com

Turquoise Mine List | Grades & Quality | Healing Beliefs | Physical Properties | Spiritual Beliefs | Symbolism | USGS History | General Information | Other Gemstones

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Durango Silver specializes in Bisbee Blue turquoise jewelry & cabochons, as well as other high grade natural domestic turquoise. We Buy, Sell & Trade Old Pawn Jewelry. We Buy turquoise and other gem stones in the rough or cut. Contact Us!

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We are always looking for great Turquoise and rare turquoise examples from all over the world. Please contact us if you know were to come across any, right now we are looking for Turquoise from California, Montana, Utah, and Virginia. We also collect rare gemstones. We are looking for great, magnetic lodestone. E-mail: durangodillon@gmail.com

Contact Information:

17897 Hwy 160 W
Durango, CO 81301

Phone: 970.375.2401

durangodillon@gmail.com