The Dry Creek mine, also referred to as Sacred Buffalo turquoise, is a small mine located in Lander County. It was discovered by the Shoshone Indian tribe in the early 1990s. Initially, cutters were unsure if the material was true turquoise due to its unusual color, but lab tests confirmed its authenticity in 1999.

Dry Creek turquoise is particularly known for its unique pale shades, resulting from a lack of heavy metals in the area. Turquoise gets its hue from the presence of aluminum and copper. More copper results in blue turquoise, as seen in many Arizona varieties, while higher aluminum levels produce green turquoise, common in many Nevada sources. Dry Creek turquoise forms in areas with low concentrations of both metals, leading to its rare pale blue color. Unlike most pale blue turquoise, which tends to be chalky and soft, Dry Creek turquoise is naturally hard and capable of achieving a beautiful polish without any treatment.

Unfortunately, after the owner’s passing, the material from the Dry Creek mine became scarce due to family disputes. Most of the quality Dry Creek turquoise available today was mined during the 1990s, making it one of the most sought-after and valuable varieties on the market. No other deposits of this unique turquoise have been discovered worldwide, further enhancing its rarity and desirability.