Chinese Turquoise Mines

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

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Chinese Turquoise
Hubei - Dragon Skin - Blue Ridge - China Mountain
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 China has
done the same thing with turquoise as it does with everything
else and has lowered it to a point were American Jewelers cannot
even set it, if they want to sell there jewelry. It is really
a shame as you can see how beautiful the specimen below is. When
the turquoise first hit the American Market it was fabulous stuff..
hard and deep blue, almost looked like Lander's Blue or Indian
Mountain.

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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
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 collect other rare gemstones.

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