Blue Gem Turquoise Oval Cabochon

Natural Blue Gem Turquoise Oval Cabochon for your Jewelry Designs or Turquoise Collections Handcrafted One of a Kind Unique Item Oval Cabochon Measures Approximately 29 mm In Length by 18 mm in Width  25 Carats Professionally Cut by Garrett McGinnis of Manassa Colorado Mined in Nevada USA Lightly Backed for stability The Blue Gem Turquoise Mine was located approximately 1 mile north to northeast of Copper Bason, which is several miles south of the town of Battle Mountain in Lander County Nevada. The mine was discovered in 1934 and was subsequently leased from The Copper canyon Mining Company by the American Gem Company San Gabriel California owned by Doc Wilson. The lease lapsed and work ceased. In 1950 the mine was leased by Lee Hand and Alvin Layton of Battle Mountain. The mine was developed with underground workings over 800 feet deep with an open pit on the surface. The Blue Gem was the deepest turquoise mine in the state of Nevada as most Turquoise Mines were fairly shallow. High quality blue to blue green Turquoise occurred in veins up to one inch thick that were associated with quartz pyrite veins. Some of the turquoise is partly translucent with a glassy appearance. Total output from the Blue Gem is estimated to be over a million dollars in rough turquoise making it one of Nevada’s larger producers. The Battle Gem area has produced a considerable amount of gold and other metals and the Blue Gem property became incorporated into those operations in the 1980’s. The location of the Turquoise Mine was excavated out as part of a large scale Gold and Copper operation. Turquoise was not saved during the excavation and much good material it went out to a mine dump or was processed as ore. All the property in the area is controlled by gold mining companies and no future Turquoise Production is expected.