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Damele is a wonderfully distinctive turquoise, very hard, and visually appealing. It forms in veins and occasionally as nuggets in carbonaceous chert and also diatomaceous earth. Damele is a well known mine known for its highly sought after cabochons and beads. It ranges in color from pure lime-green through bright chartreuse; yellow with black webbing; white; orange and brown; a caramel color turquoise with bright green polka dots, and small black nuggets with bright yellow-green bumps poking out of the black matrix. Normally the turquoise is associated with black, brown, or tan matrix but Damele turquoise is not normal by any standard.
A small, tightly run operation, the Damele mine is located thirty miles east of Austin, Nevada. The mine is located on The Dry Creek Ranch owned by the Damele family. There, they raise unique horses that carry the Damele name. Benny Damele discovered the mine sometime around 1973. Soon thereafter, Clyde Wright became involved in mining the claim and worked it for approximately 18 years. Tony Cotner, an excellent miner, merchandiser and truly colorful character, has owned the claim since 1990 when he bought it from Benny Damele. Mr. Cotner, also known as"Mean Green", states there is an ancient subtropical zone located beneath the mine that may be responsible for the unusual colors associated with Damele turquoise although he is unsure whether the organic environment has anything to do with the coloration.
Chemical composition: CuAl,(PO404(OH)8.4H2O.
The Carico Lake turquoise mine is located in Lander County, Nevada, in
the Carico Lake region. Carico Lake is a rather large, active mining
district encompassing several claims that produce a wide variety and
quality of graded blue and green turquoise; some with golden limonite
matrix. Carico Lake turquoise is also found with a dark blue-green
color laced with a black or brown spider web matrix. In addition to
turquoise, mines in this district are known to produce faustite, a
bright, Granny Smith, apple-green mineral first identified in 1953.
Faustite is similar to turquoise except that it contains zinc rather
than copper.
The Carico Lake mine has produced rare
psuedomorph clams. These beautiful "fossilized" turquoise clams are
found in the dried lake bed. The clams are believed to have been
dissolved, leaving cavities that were filled with turquoise and
faustite deposits.
Originally discovered in 1911, turquoise from
the Carico Lake district has been marketed under several different
names, including Aurora and Stone Cabin. These claims have been mined
by noted Nevada prospectors such as August Stenich and later by J.W.
Edgar. The mine is now owned and closely managed by Ernie Montoya.
Mr. Montoya has invested heavily in Carico Lake turquoise,
re-establishing the mine as one of the larger producers in Nevada.
Working over 100 claims, Mr. Montoya has produced a fair amount of
turquoise. High-grade turquoise is, however, still fairly uncommon.
The unique range and variety of colors and scarcity of natural, gem
grade Carico Lake turquoise make it a valuable addition to any
collection.
