Pilot Mountain Turquoise

The Pilot Mountain mine is located in western Nevada, east of the small town of Mina. Like many turquoise mines, it originally opened as a copper claim, with turquoise first being mined around 1930 as a tunnel mine. The operation transitioned to an open-pit mine around 1970 when heavy equipment became available.

While Pilot Mountain is still considered an active mine, it operates on a very small scale. The turquoise from this mine forms in hard veins, displaying colors that range from bright blue to dark blue with a greenish cast. The matrix typically features dark brown limonite mottled patterns. Most of the turquoise from Pilot Mountain is referred to as “grass roots,” indicating that the best deposits are found within ten feet of the surface.

The highest grades of Pilot Mountain turquoise showcase a beautiful deep blue color with excellent webbing, making them particularly desirable among collectors and jewelry makers.