The Carico Lake mine, named after the dried-up lake bed in Nevada where this unique material is extracted, produces a diverse range of turquoise colors, from dark blues to light greens, with some stones featuring yellow or dark blue "water" webbing. The most sought-after variety is the intense apple green material, identified as faustite—a cousin of turquoise that contains higher levels of zinc, resulting in its vibrant color. In addition to turquoise, the mine is known for yielding rare and highly collectible clam pseudo-morphs, which are ancient clam fossils where turquoise has filled the natural cavities of the shells. Over the years, Carico Lake turquoise has also been marketed under the names Aurora and Stone Cabin, reflecting its changing ownership. Today, the claim is owned by Ernie Montoya of Albuquerque, NM, and continues to be actively mined.
