Lone Mountain Turquoise

Lone Mountain, located in Nevada, is one of the most esteemed turquoise mines in the Southwest, known for producing exceptionally high-quality turquoise. Joe Dan Lowry famously remarked that only Lander Blue turquoise surpasses Lone Mountain in value among classic Southwestern turquoise.

The mine’s history dates back to 1920, when Lee Hand filed the “Blue Jay Mining Lode” claim, later renaming it Lone Mountain. The discovery of beautiful spider web turquoise by Bert Kopenhaver at a depth of 40 feet in 1927 marked the mine's rise to prominence.

Lone Mountain is celebrated for its stunning variety of turquoise, featuring colors ranging from vivid clear blue to dark blue, often with matrix patterns that can be golden, black, or spider web. This unique spider web turquoise is particularly prized and rivals Lander Blue in quality.

Over the years, the mine’s numerous haphazard tunnels, dug in pursuit of turquoise veins, eventually compromised the mountain’s stability, leading to safety concerns. Menless Winfield later converted it into a small open-pit mine, which allowed for safer extraction methods and greater production, particularly during the 1970s. Today, Chris Lott continues to mine Lone Mountain, yielding small quantities of this sought-after stone.

Occasionally, collectors can find unique pseudo-morphs—cavities formed by decaying organic materials where turquoise has since formed. These specimens are highly desirable and quickly snapped up by enthusiasts.

Primarily found in nugget form, Lone Mountain turquoise remains a favorite among collectors and jewelry makers, with its rich colors and distinctive patterns continuing to captivate those in the turquoise community.