Cortez Canyon Gems: The Heartbeat of the Mountain
In the high Nevada desert where wind and water carved secrets into limestone, Cortez Canyon Gems harvests a rare turquoise born of an ancient geothermal spring. Mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids threaded copper, zinc, and iron through the bedrock, producing a spectrum of gem colors from mint green to true turquoise blue.
Each gem carries the canyon’s fingerprint: a soft green lustrous shimmer that conjures alpine lakes, sagebrush mornings, and the quiet resilience of sunbaked mesas. Notable collectors and lapidaries refer to this lime-to-mint hue with reference to its founder Orvil Jack, the miner who first developed and popularized these vivid glassy green stones.
Turquoise coloration at Cortez Canyon results from hydrothermal fluids introducing a phosphate mixture of copper (blue), iron (green), and traces of zinc (lime) into a limestone-hosted fracture system; precipitation of secondary phosphate minerals under variable metal ratios and host-rock interaction produced the observed mint-to-turquoise spectrum and localized color zoning.
Every stone is ethically sourced and selected for its unique color, texture, and quality. We believe beauty isn’t just in luster or clarity, but in origin. That’s why each gem comes with a provenance card, sharing its journey from earth to hand.
FAQs
Is this for purchase?
Yes. Please reach out through the contact us form.
Do you offer cut stone or raw?
We offer cut and polished stones as well as turquoise still embedded in its host limestone.
Is the turquoise stabilized or treated?
No. Cortez Canyon Turquoise is gem quality and naturally hard and stable.
Where is this turquoise from?
Cortez Canyon Turquoise comes from extensions of the original veins Orvil Jack mined and first brought forward from Nevada’s desert.
Why is this turquoise green and not turquoise blue?
Turquoise coloration at Cortez Canyon results from hydrothermal fluids introducing a phosphate mixture of copper (blue), iron (green), and traces of zinc (lime) into a limestone-hosted fracture system; precipitation of secondary phosphate minerals under variable metal ratios and host-rock interaction produced the observed mint-to-turquoise spectrum and localized color zoning.
How is it mined?
We describe the mining method for each origin when information is available: artisanal shaft, open pit, or historic underground workings.
Does it come with provenance or mine attribution?
High-value pieces include a provenance certificate.
What is your return and exchange policy?
We do not accept returns. If you love lime green turquoise, you will not want to part from your purchase.
How do you price turquoise?
Pricing is based on color quality, matrix pattern, size, cut, and rarity.