Directory of Gems - Gem Dictionary

Diamond Directory of Gems - Gem Dictionary - reference guide to Turquoise

Facts about Turquoise

Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined. Many historic sites have been depleted but some are still worked to this day. These are all small-scale, often seasonal operations, owing to the limited scope and remoteness of the deposits. Most are worked by hand with little or no mechanization. However, turquoise is often recovered as a byproduct of large-scale copper mining operations.