Lander Blue and
 (like) Lander Blue Turquoise

Lander Blue Turquoise is the rarest and most expensive turquoise in the world.

Turquoise from mines other then Lander Blue sometimes exhibits similar colors and patterns.

The general consensus is that about 80 lbs of rough came of a couch size hole in Lander, County
 Nevada currently called Lander Blue... no more in the ground.. but you could build a mountain
 with all the turquoise that's been incorrectly sold as Landers.

This is not to say that other turquoises are any less beautiful... they are just as beautiful.
The point is that you should know what you are buying. Hopefully this brief webpage
 will help you do just that.

** You would be making a great mistake to assume you have discovered a bargain stash of
 Lander Blue and outwitted the pros... Caveat Emptor have been wise words
since the Roman Empire... not much has changed.

Photographs and text by Matt Wolf, SedonaIndianJewelry.com

Lander Blue Turquoise Ring

An extremely rare Boyd Tsosie Lander Blue Ring shot atop the Lander Blue page
 from the book Turquoise Unearthed, by Lowry

While there are very expensive rarities from other Southwest mines, the fact remains that
turquoise from the Lander Blue Mine is the most expensive turquoise in the world. it is not
unusual to pay $200 to $250 dollars per carat for a high grade Lander Blue specimen.

Unattractive or small pieces of Lander Blue are worth less / carat.

 Larger turquoise specimens of the same quality are always worth more.

it is interesting to note that collectors and silversmiths in the Southwest (who know
turquoise very well) have been paying hefty premiums for Lander Blue for the past 30 years.

Recently, Japanese collectors have been buying Lander Blue turquoise.  The supply is thin so
 this increased demand caused prices to spike... in spite of this difficult economy,
 both prices and demand have remained steady.

In early 2008, this small uncut Lander Blue Nugget sold for $38,000

Lander Blue was first discovered in 1973.  It is generally acknowledged that before the
 mine was depleted and the site abandoned, a total of about 80-100 lbs of rough was unearthed
(not polished turquoise.. but rough!!). All efforts to mine more Lander Blue turquoise failed.

This is a very small amount of turquoise to fill a very big demand.

Because of that, a word of caution is called for. Perhaps it is ignorance or maybe wishful
thinking on the part of sellers but all too often turquoise that is not Lander Blue is said
to be Lander Blue and sold at Lander Blue prices.

The images on this page are those of genuine Lander Blue turquoise... authenticated
 by
Boyd Tsosie and Vernon Haskie documented in the books of Lowry and Branson.

This is Lander Blue Turquoise.

Philbert Begay Lander Blue Turquoise and Silver Ring

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Vernon Haskie 14K Gold Lander Blue Turquoise Ring

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Lander Blue Turquoise Silver Ring by Boyd Tsosie

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