Real or Fake? How to Tell if Your Turquoise Is the Real Deal
Let’s be honest—turquoise can be tricky. Whether you’re shopping for a new piece or sourcing stones for your handmade jewelry, it’s not always easy to tell what’s real and what’s just really convincing.
These days, the market is flooded with fakes. From plastic to dyed howlite, imitation turquoise is everywhere. Some of it looks pretty convincing, which makes it tough for even the savviest shoppers to know what they’re getting. And if you’re a maker, using fake stones (even by accident!) can hurt your brand’s reputation. That’s why we’re committed to working with genuine, high-quality turquoise in all our handmade turquoise jewelry.
So, what can you do?
Start with the price. Real turquoise isn’t going to be dirt cheap. If you find something that seems like a steal—especially a big statement piece—it might be too good to be true. The high-quality stones can cost more than diamonds by weight, and even small cabochons carry a price tag. If you're unsure what real turquoise should cost, take a peek at our latest turquoise designs to get a feel for the real thing.
Then there’s the appearance. While real turquoise varies a lot—ranging from deep blue to greenish tones—it usually has a natural, unpolished look with unique patterns or veins. Fake stones often have cracks filled with dye or paint. If it looks too perfect or oddly flat, it might not be the real deal.
Already have a stone in hand? Lightly scratch it with your fingernail. Real turquoise is soft but not that soft. If it scratches easily, there’s a good chance it’s howlite or something similar.
Still not sure? Reach out—we're happy to help via our contact page.
You might also come across names like “Viennese turquoise” or “fossil turquoise.” Sounds fancy, right? Unfortunately, these names are often used to disguise dyed or synthetic stones. Pretty? Maybe. But not real turquoise—and definitely not something you want to overpay for.
That’s why it’s so important to buy from people you trust. We’re proud to source all our turquoise from ethical suppliers and trusted miners. Check out the meet the artisan page or browse our collection to see the difference for yourself.
Want the Real Thing?
Explore our collection of authentic handmade turquoise jewelry—each piece made by hand and backed by our commitment to real, natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for a bold cuff or a minimalist pendant, we’ve got something you'll love and trust to be the real deal.
Types of Turquoise by Origin: Your Ultimate Guide to Authentic TurquoiseStones
If you’re searching for authentic turquoise jewelry or want
to learn about the different types of turquoise stones by origin, you’ve
come to the right place! Turquoise varies widely in color, matrix, and quality
depending on where it’s mined — from Arizona and Nevada in the U.S. to Mexico
and beyond.
Knowing the origin of your turquoise stone helps
you choose the perfect piece and avoid fakes. Below is a detailed guide to
popular turquoise
types by origin, complete with unique characteristics and tips
to spot genuine turquoise.
Turquoise Types From the United States
Apache Blue Turquoise
Mined near Tonopah, Nevada, Apache Blue turquoise is known for its vibrant blue color and striking black
matrix. This authentic turquoise is prized for jewelry makers and collectors
alike.
Armenian Turquoise
Originating in Armenia, this turquoise displays a unique mix of blue and
green hues with a distinctive matrix, making it a rare and beautiful stone.
Autumn Creek Turquoise
Found in Nevada, Autumn Creek turquoise stands out for its rich green tones
and brown matrix, perfect for earthy jewelry designs.
Black Jack Turquoise
Known for its deep blue shade and bold black matrix, Black Jack turquoise is
another Nevada treasure that adds bold color to handmade jewelry.
Blue Moon & Blue Moon Ribbon
Blue Moon turquoise features a bright blue color with minimal matrix, while
Blue Moon Ribbon showcases ribbon-like matrix patterns — both highly sought
after.
Boulder Set Turquoise
This Nevada turquoise boasts vibrant blue hues with intricate matrix
patterns, ideal for statement jewelry.
Ceremonial Kingman Turquoise
A premium turquoise grade from the Kingman mine, Ceremonial Kingman offers
rich blue colors with little matrix—perfect for elegant designs.
Emerald Valley Turquoise
With its deep green color and unique matrix, Emerald Valley turquoise adds a
distinctive look to any collection.
GoldenHill Turquoise
Golden Hill features a golden-brown matrix paired with greenish-blue tones,
a rare and striking turquoise variety.
High Grade Kingman Turquoise
A top-tier turquoise from Kingman, Arizona, known for intense blue shades
and minimal matrix, popular in fine turquoise jewelry.
Ithaca Peak Turquoise
Famous for its sky blue color and pyrite inclusions, Ithaca Peak turquoise
is a beautiful choice for artisan jewelry.
Kingman Turquoise
Kingman turquoise is one of the most popular authentic turquoise stones,
known for its bright blue color and black matrix.
Kingman Black, Gold & Polychrome Turquoise
Variants from the Kingman mine, including deep blue Kingman Black, golden
matrix Kingman Gold, and multi-colored Kingman Polychrome — all prized in
turquoise jewelry.
Lone Mountain Turquoise
Lone Mountain turquoise has a deep blue color and minimal matrix, great for
classic turquoise jewelry.
Natural Kingman Nugget Turquoise
Raw turquoise nuggets from Kingman mine offer a natural look with rich blue
hues.
Number 8 Turquoise
Known for its bright blue color with spiderweb matrix, Number 8 turquoise is
highly collectible.
Palomino Turquoise
This light blue turquoise with subtle matrix patterns is mined in Nevada and
valued for delicate designs.
Royston Turquoise
Royston turquoise features a mix of blue and green tones with a golden
matrix, perfect for unique jewelry pieces.
Sierra Bella & Sierra Blue Turquoise
These Nevada turquoise types showcase vibrant blue colors with intricate and
minimal matrix patterns respectively.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
One of the most famous turquoise stones, Sleeping Beauty offers a robin’s
egg blue color and smooth texture that’s unmatched.
Sonoran Turquoise Varieties
Includes Sonoran Blue Jay, Sonoran Gold, and Sonoran Mountain — these
Mexican turquoise stones vary from vibrant blue to greenish hues with unique
matrix patterns.
Turquoise Mountain
Known for rich blue tones and minimal matrix. Turquoise Mountain turquoise
is highly prized.
White Buffalo
Not true turquoise but often confused, White Buffalo stone is white with
black matrix, adding striking contrast to jewelry.
Why Knowing Your Turquoise Origin Matters
Understanding the origin of turquoise stones
helps you choose genuine turquoise jewelry with confidence. Different mines
produce unique colors, patterns, and qualities — and authentic stones hold
their value over time.
Shop Authentic Turquoise Jewelry Made With
CareAt Lonesome Silver, we source turquoise only
from trusted mines to bring you handmade, authentic turquoise jewelry.
Explore Lonesome
Silver's handmade jewelry and find your perfect piece today.