Pilot Mountain Turquoise

The Pilot Mountain turquoise mine is also known as Montezuma or Troy Springs.  The mining claim is actually made up of a group of small diggings located in Mineral County, west-central Nevada, at the southern end of the Pilot Mountains, just 14 miles east-southeast from Mina. 

In 1905 William Miller of Tonopah, Nevada discovered what he called the Montezuma.  The current owner, however, is headquartered in Manassa, Colorado.  The property was initially claimed as a copper mine, but it was soon discovered that particular mineral was in short supply.  High-grade turquoise, however, was plentiful.   Copper production ceased and the area was restructured for turquoise production. 

Pilot Mountain turquoise is hard, with colors ranging from a bright blue to dark blue with a greenish cast, and at times even an exceptionally dark blue. Strong deep brown limonite mottled patterns are associated with this stone. Pilot Mountain, though thinly veined, is a beautiful gem turquoise.  This Nevada mine is one of the gem locations, which became famous for its extremely rare dendrites (manganese plant fossil replacements).  The mine also produced some exceptionally high-grade spider web turquoise featuring interesting web matrix patterns that include red, brown and black tones. It is a hard stone, so it takes a high shine that retains color longer and is less resistant to skin oils.

Related legends:

Precious Stones Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend

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