Rough Turquoise & Raw Variscite - The TradeRoots Collection

Skip to Content Trade Roots: The Macaw Chronicle Rough Turquoise & Raw Variscite Rough turquoise is a copper oxide, often occurring in or near copper deposits. The natural raw turquoise color depends upon the amounts of copper and iron, which will determine whether the stone is more blue or green. The naturally occurring ore in which real turquoise grows creates beautiful brown matrix webbing in the blue stone that many find desirable. Much of the rough turquoise we sell comes from locations here in the United States. Finding high quality domestic turquoise for sale is rare as many mines throughout the US have been in the reclamation process for quite some time having been mined out years ago. Read more about the origin and properties of turquoise. Variscite is called a "cousin" of turquoise with slight difference in chemical make-up. Variscite stone originates from Nevada and Utah of the American southwest and is available in a rough finish. There are several varieties available with color from a range of greens to blues with greens and spiderweb. The Mohs hardness is 4-6 and is a great material for carving or cabbing, it also works well for bead making and inlay. Please see individual item descriptions for origin and characteristics. Different grades are almost always available, so if you don't see what you want, be sure to contact us. Click on the Turquoise Name to see more about the Domestic Turquoise Mines. Note that most raw turquoise has been spritzed with water to show how the rough stone will look after it has been polished. Also, don't miss our beautiful turquoise cabochons and beads, made from the best jewelry quality turquoise and ready to set or string, finished turquoise jewelry and rare specimens for your collection!

Ajax Turquoise

The Ajax claim a small mine located in south central Nevada in the Royston area, is one of the relatively new turquoise mines. The mine yields stones from light blue with darker blue veins to predominately dark green with light blue areas. This latter coloration is considered quite unusual for turquoise. AJAX $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 35 50 100 grams

Arizona Blue

Nice large chunks of soft blues. Pieces up to 200 grams. Excellent for carving, cabbing or inlay. Arizona Blue $4.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 35 50 100 200 grams

Australian Variscite

Greens with gold matrix. Can make very large cabs. Australian Variscite $2.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 100 200 grams

Bisbee Blue A Grade

This is Classic Bisbee. Blue to Blue Geen with Red Matrix. Bisbee Blue A Grade $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Bisbee Blue B Grade

A bit more matrix than the A Grade but always a blue window. Bisbee Blue B Grade $8.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 35 50 100 grams

Bisbee Blue C Grade

Bisbee Blue C Grade $4.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 50 100 200 grams

Blue Diamond

The Blue Diamond Mine, south of Austin, Nevada produces a very hard light to deep blue turquoise, with an attractive swirl or mottled pattern of light and dark blues. It has brown to black matrix. The mine is located at a high altitude and cannot be mined in the winter months due to the extreme cold and snow. Blue Diamond $6.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 200 grams

Blue Diamond Nuggets

The Blue Diamond Mine, south of Austin, Nevada produces a very hard light to deep blue turquoise, with an attractive swirl or mottled pattern of light and dark blues. It has brown to black matrix. The mine is located at a high altitude and cannot be mined in the winter months due to the extreme cold and snow. These nuggets are dark blue with a dark web matrix BlueDIAnugget $8.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 35 50 100 grams

Blue Gem I

Beautiful flat vein slabs of clear blue turquoise from a classic and historic mine that will never produce again. Blue Gem I $18.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 100 grams

Blue Gem II

The Blue Gem mine is located south of Battle Mountain, in the SE 1/4 of Section 29, T. 32 N., R. 44 E., at about 4,000 feet north - northeast of Copper Basin. BLUEGEMII $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

BlueMoon

The Blue Moon claim is located in the Royston District in Nevada consisting of several turquoise claims. Blue Moon is a relatively new claim and is known for its beautiful colors ranging from deep green to rich, light blues. Operated by the Ottison family. They process most of their material into finished cabs and allow very little rough to come onto the market. This controlled output has raised the price of this material considerably in recent years. BLUE MOON $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 35 50 100 grams

Broken Arrow Variscite

Dark Emerald Green. Often translucent. Large enough for cabs or inlay. This is a rare material and the claim is currently covered and not being mined. Broken Arrow Variscite $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Burhnam Godber

Small but a beautiful dark blue BURNAM GODBER $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 35 50 100 grams

Candelaria Spiderweb Calcacidrite

This material runs from beige to yellow with black veined spiderweb. It is large enough to cut nice sized cabs or even for carving. Candelaria Spiderweb Calcacidrite $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Carico Lake I, Lime Green

This is that rare lime material often w/webbing. This color does not come in huge pieces; basically, thumbnail sized nuggets. Carico Lake Lime Green $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Carico Lake II, Select Blue

From a clear blue to a blue with fine webbing. Darker in color than the mixed blue Carico. Excellent for either cabbing or inlay. Carico Lake Select Blue $18.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 100 grams

Carico Lake III, Select Green

Runs from a very soft lime green to darker shades. Usually pretty clean with little to no matrix. Comes in nice sized pieces and is good for either cabbing, inlay or carving. Carico Lake Select Green $15.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 20 25 50 grams

Carico Lake IV, Mixed Blues

These are nice sized pieces, suitable for cabbing or inlay. Color is a nice soft blue, often with light matrix webbing Carico Lake Mixed Blues $12.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Carico Lake V, Nugget

These small green and blue nuggets are mostly a soft pastel color. Excellent for drilling or inlay. Carico Lake Nugget $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Carico Lake VI, Mixed Colors CA 1970's

A true mine run, with colors ranging rom limes green to dark green to medium blues. Excellent for cabbing or inlay. Carico Lake Mixed Greens $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 100 grams

Cloud Mountain Green Spiderweb III

Tends more to the greens than blues. Large pieces with wider and longer spider web veins than the more expensive version. Excellent for inlay, cabs or carving.Nice hard material Cloud Mt. Green Spider Web III $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Cloud Mountain Gem Grade Fine Blue Spiderweb I

Turquoise does not get better than this. Blue with very fine spiderweb veins. there are small nuggets of dark blue that are excellent for inlay or cabs. There are also larger pieces that tend toward a blue-green, but still with that fine spider web, that could be very good for carving. Cloud Mt. GEMfine Spiderweb I $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Cloud Mountain Gem Grade Spiderweb Slabs II

A very hard and fine blue with dark veined spider web matrix that could be considered some of the world’s finest gem grade turquoise. These slabs are gem grade spiderweb ready to be cut into cabs or inlay. Turquoise doesn't get any better than this! Minimum 10 grams CLOUD MOUNTAIN slabs II $22.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 35 50 grams

Crescent Valley Blue Goose

Crescent Valley Blue Goose $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Crescent Valley N - Montezuma

Another one of those small claims in the Crescent Valley area. This one is a soft blue and is nice and hard. Good for smaller cabs and great for inlay. Crescent Valley N - Montezuma $8.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Cripple Creek

From the Classic Colorado Mine. Blue green color is good for inlay or cabs. Cripple Creek $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 100 grams

Damale A Grade

This is that rare botroidal lime green Nugget material, with strong color and usually black webbing Damale 1 $25.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Damale B grade

This is that rare botroidal lime green Nugget material with more matrix than the high grade. Always a good window. Damale B $12.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Damale C grade

This is that rare botroidal lime green Nugget material with softer color plus more matrix. Always a good window. Damale 3 $6.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Darlene Darling

Found by Richard Williams while working cattle in 1930s; unlikely to produce more turquoise, as area owned by a gold company; later owned by Joe Barredo (circa 1968); Joe's daughter Darlene was a married, pregnant 22 year old hen she suffered a heart attack and passed away. His wife Kate suffered the same fate not long after. He changed the Barredo name to "Darlene Darling" soon after. Darlin Darlene $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 35 50 100 grams

Evans Cabbing Rough

This is a nice chunky material from an extinct mine in Baja, California. It is great higher grade for cabbing. No disappointments, Evans Cabbing Rough $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 40 75 100 grams

Evans High Grade

This is Higrade from the Extinct Mine in Baja, California. Plates of soft blue green turquoise is good for cabs or inlay. Evans $8.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 100 grams

Fox Chunks and Veins

Classic blue to blue green. Great for cabs. Fox $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 50 100 grams

Fox Nugget

Blue Green. Very high grade. Good for drilled nuggets, inlay or small cabs. Fox Nugget blue/green $6.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Fox Teal Blue

Unique Teal Color. Small, but very hard and solid pieces. Great for inlay. Fox Teal Blue $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Gold Canyon

This unusual and rare natural turquoise is from Senora, Mexico. It is watermarked and contains pyrite. These are large pieces perfect for cabs or carving. Gold Canyon $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 30 50 100 grams

Kingman Duval Turquoise

A very nice soft blue to blue green. Mined in the 1970's. Good for cabbing or inlay. Kingman Duval $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 100 grams

Kingman Old 1970's Turquoise Mountain

This material chunky and the quantity is very limited. It is all spider web material, some with black matrix; some with gold matrix; some with watermark matrix. It tends to have some pithiness around the edges but is very sold in the center. It is expensive; but, as beautiful as American turquoise gets. Kingman Old 1970's Turquoise Mountain $15.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 25 30 35 grams

Kingman Old 1970's Turquoise Mountain Stabilized Super High Grade Spider Web

This is an amazing high grade with both watermark and spider web. Dark blue stabilized of the more expensive 1970's Kingman Turquoise Mountain material. Large pieces that are easy to work with. Kingman Stabelized Super High Grade Spider Web $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 100 200 grams

Kingman Turquoise Birdseye Slabs ca. 1970's

his material is also from the mid to late 1970's. The cutter prepared it for cabbing, but never got around to it. Good clean material, ready for cabbing or inlay. Kingman Birdseye Slabs Pre slabbed for easy work. Fine water marked Spiderwebs. Good for inlay or cabs. $6.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Kingman Turquoise Black Spiderweb

This is the Kingman turquoise that turquoise lovers dream about. Dark Blue turquoise with black webbing. This material came out of the ground in the 1970's and hasn't been seen since BLKWEBKman $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 5 7 10 20 25 grams

Kingman Turquoise Inlay Material

Perfect material for inlay or small cabs. I soft blue that's hard enough to hold together Kingman inlay $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 12345

Kingman Turquoise Nuggets

These small nuggets are dark blue and perfect for drilling, small cabs and especially for any turquoise lovers collection. KINGMAN nuggets $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 5 7 10 20 50 grams

Kingman Turquoise, Old Man Mine, Cut Pieces CA 1980's

Nice pre-cut pieces, from the late 1970's to early 1980's. This material that an old cutter prepared, but never got around to cabbing. Excellent for inlay or cabs. No waste; just good material ready to use. Old Man 1 $6.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Kingman Turquoise, Stabilized 1970s Spiderweb Slabs

These are thin slabs perfect for inlay or backing for cabbing. Kingman Stabilized 1970s Spider web Slabs $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 30 50 100 grams

Kingman Turquoise, Stabilized Blue Green to Green

Best suited for a beginner or hobbyist, learning to carve, cab or inlay. Tends from a blue green to green, usually with a heavier matrix and is available in larger chunks Kingman Stabilized Blue to Blue Green with Heavy Matrix $3.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 100 500 grams

Kingman Turquoise, Stabilized Blue with Light Matrix

This material is similar to the more expensive clear blue, except that the pieces are larger and there is a very light matrix pattern. It suitable for higher grade carvings or cabochons. A soft robins egg blue. ue with Light Matrix $4.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 100 200 grams

Kingman Turquoise, Stabilized Clear Blue

This clear material is pure blue with no matrix. Consists of small nuggets roughly 3/4-1 inch in diameter Excellent for inlay. It has been hardened but has no color added. Clear Blue Stabilized Turquoise $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 30 50 100 grams

Maanshan Emerald Valley Green

Both vein and chunk material. Beautiful green with red matrix. Solid enough for inlay and large enough for cabochons or even carving.. Maanshaw Emerald Valley $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Maanshan Emerald Vally Green Stabilized

This exceptional medium to dark green turquoise comes from the Maanshan mining district in central China. This material has been stabilize, but is available in natural as well in green and blue. EMVALLEYstabilized $2.00 per gram choose quantity: 12345

Maanshan, Emerald Valley Blue

Both vein and chunk material. Beautiful blue with red matrix. Large enough for cabs and solid enough for inlay. The color and matrix is reminiscent of Bisbee and could easily be mistaken for Bisbee. Maanshan, Emerald Valley Blue $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 100 grams

Morenci I

A very nice medium blue from the 1970's good for inlay or cabs. Morenci 1970's $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Morenci II

A very nice medium blue from the 1970's.Similar to Morenci I; but, somewhat larger nuggets. Excellent for inlay or cabochons. Morenci 1970's $12.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Morenci III

This Morenci comes the collection of the family of the "Demolitions Man" at Morenci during the 1950's and 1960's. The material has a nice watermark matrix and often some spider webbing. The color is a nice dark blue. Morenci - 1950s $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Morenci IV

This 1950's collection of Morenci is the highest grade of all. Color runs from dark blue to blue green, and most pieces contain the classic pyrite look. This is also the hardest of all the Morenci, probably upward of 6 on the mohs scale. Pieces are nice flats, suitable for inlay or cabs. Morenci Mine 1950's $30.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 100 100 grams

Nevada Green Variscite

A nice grass green color. Very solid and good for inlay or cabochons. Nevada Green Variscite $3.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 grams

Northern Lights

High Grade Chartruese. This color is very rare and comes from Rodney Dwyar's old claim in Nevada. Nice flats; good for either inlay or cabochons. Northern Lights $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Number 8 Turquoise - I Mixed Blues

Classic Blue Number 8 Mine; some clear and some with gold matrix. Good for cabochons or inlay. Number 8 Turquoise - I Mixed Blues $15. per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Number 8 Turquoise-II Mixed Blue Greens with Brown Spiderweb

The color tends from blue to blue-green. The Brown Spider webbing makes this perfect for Cabs. Number 8 Turquoise-II Mixed Blue Greens with Brown Spiderweb $12.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 25 50 grams

Number 8 Turquoise III, Mine Run

This a mix of classic Number 8 mine turquoise. There are blues, greens and blue-greens. Sometimes clear,but usually with a gold matrix. Ideal for cabochons. Number 8 Turquoise III, Mine Run $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 20 25 30 grams

Number 8 Mine IV, Stabilized

Although lightly hardened, this are very nice nuggets for cabbing. Color is a blue-green with that classic brown webbing Number 8 Mine IV, Stabilized $3 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Number 8 Mine V, Sand

A nice green sand. Excellent to filling wood work or other craft purposes. Number 8 Mine V, Sand $1 per gram choose quantity: 30 50 100 grams

Pilot Mountain

This is classic Nevada turquoise from the Pilot Mountain Turquoise Mine. Nice flats in an aqua blue green color. Excellent for cabochons. Pilot Mountain $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 100 grams

Red Mountain I

Excellent cabbing quality. RED MTI $7.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 35 50 100 grams

Red Mountain II Nuggets

Beautiful small nuggets. Perfect for drilling and tumbling or for small cabs. RED MT II nuggets $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 35 50 100 grams

Royston

One of the few mines in America still in operation. Colors run from blues to greens and often have both colors in the same stone. Royston $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 100 grams

Royston Small

While not too large, this Royston is of superior quality. It has all the right characteristics: very hard and great color, ranging from dark blues to blue-greens to dark green. Perfect for inlay or small cabochons. Royston Small $12.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Extra Extra Large

Each piece 23-27 grams. These are huge pieces mined in the 1970's. Very large pieces in a soft blue color. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Extra Extra Large $40.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 50 75 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Extra Large

Each piece 18-22 grams. This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise + is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Extra Large $35.00 per gram choose quantity: 20 40 80 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Large

Each piece is 12-17 grams. This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise + is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Extra Large $30.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 35 50 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Large

Each piece is 7-11 grams. This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise + is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Large $25.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Medium

Each piece is 3-7 grams. This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise and is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Medium $20.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Small

Each piece is under 3 grams. This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise and is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. Sleeping Beauty, A-Grade, Small $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 20 30 50 grams

Sleeping Beauty Enhanced

This material was enhanced in the 1970's. There are no chemicals added, as the process is electro-magnetic. Color is an outstanding dark blue and is very hard. Sleeping Beauty Enhanced $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 30 grams

Sleeping Beauty, A Grade Chips

Perfect for wood work, filler or craft work. A good robins egg blue. Chunkier and cleaner than the B Grade chips Sleeping Beauty, A Grade chips $2.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 200 grams

Sleeping Beauty, B Grade Chips

Perfect for wood work, filler or craft work. Very good blue material. smaller and not quite as clean as the A Grade chunkier chips Sleeping Beauty, B Grade Chips $1.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 75 100 200 grams

Sleeping Beauty, B-Grade, Tumbled

This clear blue material was mined in the 1970's, when we all thought this material would be available forever. The mine ran out of turquoise and is now closed, making this material rare and in high demand. This is a B grade tumbled material, meaning they are dime to nickel sized nuggets in a soft blue, perfect as pocket pieces. Sleeping Beauty, B-Grade, Tumbled $5.00 per gram choose quantity: 15 25 50 100 grams

Stenich

This mine had not produced turquoise in many years, and probably never will again. It has be re-purposed as a gold mine and all traces of turquoise are covered. This is one of the few opportunities to own some of this classic lime green to blue material. Stinch $10.00 per gram choose quantity: 10 15 30 50 grams

Turquoise Nuggets, Stabilized Blue

This material was mined in the 1970's. Just nice blue nuggets, ideal for display or drilling. Turquoise Nuggets, Stabilized Blue $2.00 per gram choose quantity: 30 50 100 200 grams

Turquoise Sand Extra Fine

Perfect for wood work, filler or craft work. Extra fine blue green material Turquoise Sand Extra Fine $2.00 per gram choose quantity: 25 50 100 200 grams

Turquoise Sand, Mixed Variety Polished

Just nice small tumble polished turquoise sand Turquoise Sand, Mixed Variety Polished 20 gram minimum $2.50 per gram choose quantity: 10 25 50 100 grams

Utah Green Variscite

This is the highest grade of this material. Nice pieces of a clear pastel green. Great for carving or cutting cabochons. Utah Green Variscite $3.00 per gram choose quantity: 30 50 100 200 grams

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