The Grasshopper Turquoise and Faustite mine

History and Origins

This modest excavation is all that remains of the Grasshopper Turquoise Mine in Lander County, Nevada. It’s no surprise that the material from this mine is among the rarest and most collectible turquoise/faustite in the world. Similar to other notable mines like Damele, Carico Lake, Orvil Jack, Northern Lights, and Stennich, Grasshopper is unique for producing faustite and turquoise as a secondary mineral with no variscite.
The mine earned its name from an unexpected source. During the initial visit to the claim, an abundance of vibrant green grasshoppers were seen jumping around, inspiring its memorable name. The mine operates under this brand name to protect it from looting, a common problem with highgraders looking to steal material. By not using its official claim name, the site is safeguarded against unauthorized access and potential theft.

Unique Characteristics and Collectibility

Grasshopper is distinguished by the outstanding quality, variety, and unique chemical makeup of its stones, combined with its limited production. Extensive testing using XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis, a technique used to calculate mineralogy, has revealed the exceptional rarity of the Grasshopper Mine’s yield. Many American mines that produce apple green turquoise were tested for faustite. Very few of these samples actually showed faustite. Among those that did, the next highest mineral content was variscite.

However, Grasshopper stands out because it is the only mine where, if a cabochon tested as faustite, it also tested as having turquoise as the second highest mineral content with no variscite present. In the testing so far, Grasshopper’s material has been shown to be either faustite or turquoise and nothing else. This makes Grasshopper unique among American turquoise mines. The XRF testing is ongoing, so this uniqueness may change in the future. For now, it is important to note that Grasshopper’s distinctive composition highlights the extraordinary rarity and desirability of its material, making it highly sought after by collectors.

The mine’s production is incredibly low, having been worked in the 1970s when there was little market demand for green turquoise and faustite. Consequently, miners took the blue stones and left the green in the tailings. The mine has not been worked since then and is unlikely to be mined for turquoise again.

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Grasshopper turquoise and faustite stand out for their fantastic range of colors and patterns, from apple green to dark army green and blue. The mine produces spiderweb, polychromatic pieces, and a variety of other unique effects. Each nugget is often entirely unique, with patterns seldom seen again, making each piece a true collector’s item.

Current Ownership and Availability

Turquoise Deluxe is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the Grasshopper Turquoise Mine by Shreve R. Saville, the owner of TurquoiseDeluxe.com. For many years, TurquoiseDeluxe.com held exclusive rights to purchase all production from the mine. Now, with the acquisition of the mine itself, Turquoise Deluxe will continue to offer material including rough, directly sourced from Grasshopper to collectors and enthusiasts. Buying this rare stone directly from the owner ensures its authenticity and increases its value.

Stones from Grasshopper will be available in a range of prices to suit everyone’s needs, ensuring that the beauty and rarity of this exquisite turquoise are accessible to all. Discover these exclusive stones at TurquoiseDeluxe.com and explore our extensive collection of this remarkable turquoise for sale.