When it comes to turquoise, very few varieties are as captivating as Sleeping Beauty turquoise. This legendary gemstone from Arizona is celebrated as one of the finest natural turquoise varieties, prized by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide for its stunning robin's egg blue color and exceptional quality.

What Makes Sleeping Beauty Turquoise So Special?

Sleeping Beauty turquoise stands apart from other American turquoise varieties with its remarkable consistency and pure blue color. Unlike many turquoise stones that display webbed or veined patterns, natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise typically has little to no matrix – it’s an exuberant gem that showcases an uninterrupted sky-blue color.

The Sleeping Beauty mine, located in Globe, Arizona, has produced some of the highest-quality turquoise gemstones ever discovered. Its natural stones range from light to deep blue, but the classic robin's egg blue has made it world-famous among artisans and collectors.

Key characteristics that make Sleeping Beauty turquoise exceptional: 

• Minimal to no matrix for clean, pure color
• Remarkable color stability that lasts for years
• Superior hardness compared to other turquoise varieties
• Classic robin's egg blue that's instantly recognizable

  

Its hardness and consistent color make it a favorite for fine jewelry, ensuring pieces retain their beauty for generations. Whether fashioned into beaded jewelry, set in sterling silver settings, or crafted into traditional Native American jewelry pieces, these stones retain their natural beauty for years to come.

How Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Got Its Name

The Sleeping Beauty name comes from the mountain range that overlooks the mining area. When viewed from a distance, the silhouette of the mountains resembles a sleeping woman lying peacefully on her back. This romantic image gave the mine its storybook name, which has become synonymous with the finest blue turquoise available.

The mine's history dates back over a thousand years. Ancient Native American peoples, including the Anasazi, recognized the exceptional quality of this natural turquoise. They carefully extracted beautiful turquoise stones from the area, using them for trade, and ceremonial purposes, and creating intricate jewelry pieces that demonstrated their sophisticated appreciation of this precious gemstone.

In more recent times, Zuni Pueblo artisans have favored Sleeping Beauty turquoise stones in their traditional jewelry making. The stone's consistent blue color and minimal matrix make it ideal for its delicate needlepoint and inlay techniques. These skilled craftspeople have elevated turquoise jewelry to an art form, creating pieces that showcase both the natural beauty of the stone and their incredible artistic skill.

The Rarity That Drives Popular Demand

The story of Sleeping Beauty turquoise took a dramatic turn in 2012 when the mine was permanently closed to mining operations. The mine had served dual purposes over the last decade, extracting both turquoise and copper. However, as copper production became more profitable and insurance costs for turquoise mining increased, the decision was made to focus exclusively on copper extraction. This closure created an immediate impact on the turquoise market.

The mine closure resulted in: 

• No new Sleeping Beauty turquoise is being extracted 
• Prices have steadily increased as supply dwindles
• Heightened demand among collectors worldwide
• Limited supply driving investment potential

Whatever natural sleeping beauty turquoise exists today represents the finite supply available to collectors, jewelry makers, and enthusiasts. The transformation from active mining to permanent closure has created a unique situation in the American turquoise industry, with genuine Sleeping Beauty turquoise stones becoming some of the most sought-after gemstones in the United States.

This scarcity has elevated each nugget and turquoise stone into a cultural artifact carrying significance as part of Arizona's mining heritage. The connection between copper production and turquoise extraction at the Globe mine means no future turquoise will emerge from this legendary location, making existing pieces irreplaceable treasures in any jewelry collection.

Southwest Silver Gallery and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Excellence

At Southwest Silver Gallery, we understand the exceptional nature of Sleeping Beauty turquoise and have built our reputation on providing authentic, high-quality pieces to discerning collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Our expertise in natural turquoise spans decades, and we take pride in our carefully curated jewelry collection that showcases the timeless elegance of these remarkable stones. Our commitment to authenticity means every piece in our turquoise jewelry collection is thoroughly verified.

What sets us apart: 

• Direct relationships with trusted Native American artisans 
• Decades of expertise in natural turquoise authentication 
• Carefully curated collection of only the finest pieces 
• Commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship

We work directly with trusted sources and experienced Native American artisans who understand the unique properties of these gems. Whether you're looking for sterling silver earrings featuring pristine blue turquoise, an elegant bracelet showcasing the stone's natural beauty, or a complete turquoise set, our collection represents the finest available.

We take pride in partnering with skilled Native American artisans who have been crafting jewelry with Sleeping Beauty turquoise for generations. These artisans bring both traditional techniques and contemporary vision to their work, creating pieces that honor the cultural significance of turquoise while appealing to modern sensibilities. Each piece tells a story of craftsmanship, tradition, and the enduring appeal of this extraordinary gemstone.

Understanding Value and Investment Potential

Investment Potential and Market Impact

The closure of the Sleeping Beauty mine has fundamentally changed the market dynamics for this turquoise variety. Every piece represents part of a finite supply that may never be replenished. This reality has made beautiful turquoise stones not just beautiful accessories, but potential investment pieces that may appreciate significantly over time.

How Sleeping Beauty Compares to Other Turquoise

While Persian turquoise carries historic prestige and Kingman turquoise offers bold character, Sleeping Beauty stands out for its unmatched clarity and iconic blue color. These qualities, combined with rarity, ensure its continued premium status.

What to Look for in Quality Pieces

For the serious buyer, understanding quality markers becomes essential. The finest Sleeping Beauty turquoise displays even color saturation, minimal matrix, and excellent hardness. These characteristics ensure that jewelry pieces will maintain their beauty and structural integrity for years to come. The most sought-after pieces feature the classic Robin's egg blue that has made this variety famous, though the full spectrum from light blue to deep blue offers options for every taste and budget.

The Future of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

As we look ahead, the significance of Sleeping Beauty turquoise will only continue to grow. Each existing piece becomes more valuable as time passes, representing a connection to both geological history and centuries of human craftsmanship.

The timeless elegance of this natural turquoise ensures its continued popularity in jewelry design. Sterling silver remains the classic pairing, though creative jewelers have successfully incorporated these stones into gold settings and contemporary designs that showcase the stone's versatility.

For collectors and jewelry enthusiasts, it now represents a unique opportunity to acquire pieces featuring this legendary gemstone. At Southwest Silver, we're proud to offer authentic Sleeping Beauty turquoise jewelry that honors both the stone's natural beauty and its cultural heritage. As the finite supply continues to diminish, the rarity and significance of Sleeping Beauty turquoise will only enhance its desirability and value.

Whether you're drawn to its stunning blue color, fascinated by its rich history, or attracted to its investment potential, Sleeping Beauty turquoise represents one of America's greatest geological treasures – a true testament to the enduring appeal of this remarkable gemstone.

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Originally Published on: January 30, 2015
Updated on: August 26, 2025