Sunnyside Turquoise Mine
| << Back to: List of Turquoise Mines | Next: Turquoise Mountain Turquoise >> |
The Sunnyside mine is located near the town of Tuscarora, Nevada in the Tuscarora mountain range in the northeast part of the state. The mine is no longer in operation as it has become part of a gold mining operation and a privately owned ranch.
The Sunnyside mine was mined mostly in the 70’s. You won’t find much of this great turquoise around anymore except for old stashes. Much of the turquoise found in this area was washed down gullies where Chinese mined for placer gold during the Tuscarora gold boom.
A considerable quantity of Sunnyside Turquoise was shipped from the property for several years in the 70’s to Arizona and New Mexico, where it has become part of the well known turquoise and silver jewelry collection sold by the Indian tribes in these areas.
A Spider web matrix of colors ranging from golden brown to black set off the unique color of the stone. Part of the turquoise is fairly dark blue and very hard. A little greenish blue color is also found.
The turquoise from this mine presents some peculiar features. The material has good color and extreme hardness, great matrix marking in spider web patterns and wafers. The veins can run up to one inch thick. Turquoise from this mine is rarely seen today.