Native American Sterling Silver Natural Pilot Mountain Turquoise Pendant

All natural high grade Pilot Mountain turquoise stone set in sterling silver. Stamped R.P and Sterling by the Navajo artist.

The Pilot Mountain mine is located in western Nevada, east of the small town of Mina. As with most turquoise mines, this mine opened as a copper claim. Pilot Mountain turquoise was first mined around 1930 as a tunnel mine, and then became an open pit mine when heavy equipment was available around 1970. While Pilot Mountain is considered an active mine it is a very small operation. Pilot Mountain turquoise forms in hard veins with color ranging from bright blue to dark blue with a greenish cast. The matrix is typically composed of dark brown limonite mottled patterns. Most Pilot Mountain turquoise is called "grass roots", meaning the best deposits are found within ten feet of the surface.

Size: Pendant is 3 3/4" long w/ bail, 1 3/8" wide. Bail opening is 17mm.