Number 8 Turquoise has character in its appearance and can easily be identified. Few gemstones have such variety in appearance as to have individual character and personality as the Number 8 Turquoise, with its golden brown to black distinctive spider web matrix and unique bright powder blue green background. It has been valued for its beauty and reputed spiritual and life giving qualities. The Number 8 Turquoise mine in Eureka County north of Carlin Nevada was discovered in 1925 and first mined in 1929. The mine was closed as a result of the discovery of gold in 1976 when the Newton Gold Company claimed the area. In its prime, the Number 8 mine produced some of the largest nuggets of turquoise ever found. In 1954 the largest nugget was excavated, measuring 31 inches long, 17 inches wide and 7 inches thick. Cleaned and polished it weighed 150 pounds. Since 1976 there has been no Number 8 Turquoise mined. There is however, an existing stock pile that Mr. Dowell Ward (last owner of the mine) had stocked away for later sorting. The turquoise is a collector’s item — because once the reserve is gone there will be no more material released onto the market. The Gold Mining Company owns the claims to the Number 8 mine and it has been swallowed up by the gold mining operations. This is some of the last Number 8 Turquoise to be and will be a great addition to your collection.