Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Gemstone Beads

Frequently asked questions

• Is the Sleeping Beauty mine still producing turquoise?

  No. The Sleeping Beauty mine in Globe, Arizona stopped producing turquoise in 2012. Everything on the market now was cut from rough mined before the closure, so supply is finite. Our strands come from that pre-closure rough.
• What makes Sleeping Beauty turquoise different from other turquoise?

  Uniformity. Sleeping Beauty rough runs an even sky blue to robin's-egg blue with little or no matrix, which made it the standard for clean, calibrated strands — most other turquoise carries visible host-rock veining. It is the material to use when a design needs matrix-free blue that matches bead to bead.
• Is your Sleeping Beauty turquoise treated?

  Yes — all of it, and only for stabilization. Every strand is treated with the Zachery process, a proprietary electrochemical treatment that reduces turquoise's natural porosity so it takes a clean polish and stands up to drilling and wear. It adds no dye and no resin, and it does not change the color — the blue is the stone's own. None of our Sleeping Beauty is sold raw.
• What shapes and sizes do you stock?

  Chips from 3mm to 11mm, heishi in 3mm and 6mm, 1x2mm A-grade tubes, 4x5mm rondelles, 5mm pebbles, and graduated nuggets up to 20mm. Strands marked Limited Editions are small runs cut from the remaining rough.
• How should I care for Sleeping Beauty turquoise?

  The same as any turquoise. It is soft (Mohs 5–6) — keep it away from perfume, lotion, and household cleaners; no ultrasonic or steam; wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry. Remove before swimming or the gym. The Zachery process reduces porosity, but turquoise still absorbs what it sits in — the precautions stand.