BLUE DIAMOND TURQUOISE

Named for producing some of the hardest turquoise ever found, the Blue Diamond mine is located outside of Austin, Nevada and was first mined in the 1930s. The mine, considered a “hat mine” of which a small deposit of turquoise that “you can cover with your hat”, is only one of a few in the country. The stones from this mine are usually large pieces in plate form and have a black smoky matrix surrounded by a brilliant blue. The characteristic black chert is present. Long time area miners have been noted to have said the Blue Diamond mine yielded some of the best turquoise in Nevada. After many years of being closed, Blue Diamond turquoise is once again being actively mined in limited quantities by the current owner.