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Natural American turquoise is the best because it’s American, right? Actually, the real answer is more nuanced. While many countries, including China, Egypt, and Iran, have a long history of producing exceptional turquoise, American turquoise stands out due to several key factors. Here’s why:

Documentation: American turquoise mining has a storied past, especially in places like Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Iconic mines such as Sleeping Beauty, Kingman, and Bisbee are famous for their unique turquoise. Thanks to meticulous documentation, you get a detailed history and traceability with each stone. This level of record-keeping makes American turquoise the gem of choice for savvy collectors and investors.

Production Costs: Let’s face it, mining turquoise in the U.S. isn’t cheap. Stricter safety and environmental standards mean higher production costs, but they also ensure top-tier quality. American mines adhere to rigorous regulations, which translate into a superior product that commands a premium price.

Availability: Back in the groovy 60s and 70s, a lot of American turquoise production was actually a byproduct of copper and other mining operations. At the time, the true value of turquoise wasn’t fully realized because the dirt was already being moved to chase copper, so, in effect, the production was indirectly subsidized. Fast forward to today, and international companies aren’t too keen on handing out turquoise concessions at copper mines due to liability concerns. As a result, the supply of natural American turquoise is dwindling, and demand is skyrocketing. Those turquoise stashes from the heyday of high-grade Sleeping Beauty rough at $200 a pound? They’re rapidly drying up. It’s like finding a hidden treasure chest that’s running out of loot—get your hands on it while you still can!

Rarity: Here’s the kicker: high-grade turquoise typically makes up only about 5% of a mine’s total haul. When you factor this in, it makes natural turquoise from the good ole U.S.A. even rarer and more coveted on the global stage.

But wait, there’s more! Thanks to cutting-edge technology, labs can now test the chemical markers of turquoise without any damage to the stone. This means we can accurately identify the mine it came from. It’s a game changer for collecting natural American turquoise, giving collectors even greater assurance of authenticity and provenance. Think of it as your very own turquoise detective kit! A big thank you to Neil Ray at West Texas Analytical Laboratory for this groundbreaking development.

Oh, and did I mention you can buy directly from the mine owner? That’s right, this direct connection ensures you get the real deal. And guess what? You can snag these cabochons right here on TurquoiseDeluxe.com! This direct route provides collectors and jewelry makers a unique chance to get top-quality gemstones straight from the source.

In a nutshell, the combo of meticulous documentation, high production costs, availability, rarity, and the latest tech advances in testing makes authentic American turquoise stand out on the world stage. So, by buying straight from reputable sources, collectors and jewelry artisans are assured of acquiring some of the finest gemstones out there, making American turquoise a top-tier investment in the gem world.