You know I love turquoise, all kinds of turquoise, but especially what is referred to as “domestic” turquoise, turquoise that is mined here in the U.S. The above image is a bracelet with a focal point stone of “boulder turquoise” from the Royston Mine near Tonopah, Nevada.
I generally refer to my turquoise either by the state it is from, in this case Nevada, or by the name of the mine. The term “boulder turquoise” refers to the fact that the turquoise is still in it’s boulder, or rock matrix, rather than just being a nugget of turquoise. Cut stones from “boulder turquoise” are also sometimes called “ribbon turquoise” when the turquoise vein is flanked by contrasting matrix stone creating what looks like a ribbon of turquoise through the stone.
I love when I get the opportunity to purchase stones directly from the miners. I purchased all these stones from the Otteson family who regularly set up a booth at both the Denver and Tucson Gem shows each year. The Ottesons have been mining turquoise from the Royston region for over 60 years.