Shop by Turquoise

✦ About My Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise has a way of carrying both history and color at the same time—no two stones ever quite alike. I’m especially drawn to pieces with strong personality: bold matrix patterns, soft watercolor greens, glowing blues, and those wild “ribbons” that look like tiny painted landscapes. Every stone in this collection is hand-selected for its individuality, then paired with sterling silver designs that let its natural character lead the way.

My goal is always to create jewelry that feels intentional, a little bit magical, and worthy of becoming a future heirloom. These are pieces meant to be worn, loved, and lived in—turquoise jewelry with enough presence to stand on its own, but still comfortable for everyday wear.

✦ Handcrafted in My Colorado Studio

Each piece is made by hand in my Fort Collins, Colorado studio using traditional silversmithing techniques. I saw, solder, file, and finish every element myself, often incorporating subtle Art Nouveau-inspired curves, organic textures, and small flourishes that frame the stone without overwhelming it.

I work primarily in sterling silver, fine silver, Argentium silver, 14K gold, and 18K gold, sourcing turquoise from trusted lapidaries and family-run mining operations across Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. The metalwork is always built around the stone—not the other way around—so every design feels like a natural extension of the gem it holds.

✦ Turquoise Varieties I Work With

Each turquoise mine has its own fingerprint: a blend of color, matrix, and personality shaped by geology and time. These are some of the turquoise (and turquoise-adjacent) stones you’ll see throughout my work:

Bamboo Mountain Turquoise (China)

Known for its soft blues and greens with warm brown or golden matrix, Bamboo Mountain turquoise often has a gentle, watercolor-like look. It’s an excellent choice for pieces that feel dreamy, organic, and quietly expressive.

Blackjack Turquoise (Nevada)

High-contrast and dramatic, Blackjack turquoise features vivid blue-green color framed by deep brown or nearly black matrix. Many stones look like tiny abstract paintings, full of movement and energy. I love using Blackjack in statement earrings, pendants, and rings where the stone is meant to steal the show.

Kingman Turquoise (Arizona)

One of the most historic turquoise mines in the United States, Kingman produces everything from bright sky-blue stones to richly patterned spiderweb and greenish varieties. It’s wonderfully versatile and works beautifully in both classic and more modern silver designs.

Royston Turquoise (Nevada)

Royston turquoise is known for its warm, earthy palette—golden browns, deep teals, and rich greens blending together in a way that feels distinctly Southwestern. Each stone has depth and mood, making Royston a favorite for pieces with a grounded, timeless feel.

Royston Ribbon Turquoise (Nevada)

Royston Ribbon is instantly recognizable: ribbons of turquoise running through a host rock of tan, beige, or golden brown. Every cabochon feels like a miniature landscape, and I design around that, keeping the silverwork simple enough to let those natural “rivers” of turquoise stand out.

Sonora Turquoise (Mexico)

Sonora turquoise often shows soft blue-to-green tones with gentle, earthy matrix. It has a calm, luminous quality and is lovely in designs where you want color that feels natural and easy to wear.

Sonoran Gold Turquoise (Mexico)

A collector favorite, Sonoran Gold turquoise is known for its glowing greens and blues with warm honey-gold matrix. Many stones show two- or three-tone transitions that feel almost gemmy. It’s a lively, vibrant material that brings a lot of energy and light to a piece.

Treasure Mountain Turquoise (China)

Treasure Mountain turquoise tends to have saturated teal and mossy green tones with expressive matrix patterns. Some stones look almost mosaic-like, full of movement and contrast, which makes them especially striking in bold, silver-heavy designs.

Tyrone Turquoise (New Mexico)

Tyrone turquoise is often a deep, clear blue with subtle matrix, giving it a refined, elegant look. It has a classic feel that pairs beautifully with detailed silverwork and more minimal, modern settings alike.

White Buffalo (Nevada)

White Buffalo isn’t technically turquoise, but it’s often set alongside it and mined in similar regions. With its stark black-and-white contrast, it has a bold, graphic quality that feels both modern and a little bit edgy—especially when paired with sculptural sterling silver.

✦ How I Choose My Stones

I spend a lot of time hunting for the right stones—usually sorting through trays at gem shows or working with trusted cutters and mining families. I look for pieces with strong presence: interesting matrix, unexpected color shifts, and cuts that feel balanced and intentional.

Once a stone comes home with me, it usually sits on my bench for a while until the right idea arrives. The design grows out of the stone’s shape, color, and mood, which is why no two finished pieces ever feel quite the same.

✦ Turquoise Jewelry FAQ

Is your turquoise natural or stabilized?

I work with a mix of natural and lightly stabilized turquoise, depending on the mine and the inherent softness of the material. Stabilization is a standard process that helps strengthen more porous turquoise so it can stand up to everyday wear. It doesn’t make the stone “fake”—it simply supports durability while keeping the natural look and color.

Where do you source your turquoise?

I source my stones from reputable lapidaries, small-batch cutters, and mining families I trust. Many of my Nevada turquoise pieces—like Blackjack, Royston, and White Buffalo—come from long-standing mining operations that take pride in their material and cutting.

How should I care for turquoise jewelry?

Turquoise is a relatively soft, porous stone, so a bit of care goes a long way. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ultrasonic machines, prolonged water exposure, lotions, perfumes, and sunscreens on the stone. When needed, gently wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth and use a silver polishing cloth on the metal only, avoiding the surface of the turquoise.

✦ Continue Exploring Silverthaw Jewelry

• Handcrafted Sterling Silver Rings
• Statement Necklaces & Pendants
• Artisan Earrings
• Explore All Turquoise Jewelry