Fox turquoise has one of the widest color ranges among Southwest turquoise, running from clear sky blue through deep green, usually crossed by a dark brown or black matrix that reads as ink spilled across stone. Southwest jewelry makers have prized this stone for generations, and it remains a favorite among people building or expanding a turquoise collection today. The mine itself sits in Nevada's Lander County, a region responsible for many of the country's best-known turquoise varieties.
At SilverTQ, our Fox turquoise jewelry collection features handmade pieces from reputable Navajo artists, including cuff bracelets, rings, pendants, and bolo ties. Because each piece comes from an individual artist working by hand, no two stones look quite alike, and each piece is one of a kind. The SilverTQ team has spent more than 45 years building relationships across the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Kewa Pueblo jewelry communities, so everything that appears in this collection is authentic.
The History of the Fox Turquoise Mine
Long before any formal mining claim existed, Native American communities in the area now known as Lander County, Nevada already knew this ground held turquoise. The official record starts in 1914: Charles Schmidtlein and Johnnie Francis filed the "Fox Lode Mining Claim," giving the site its lasting name, though old-timers in the region also called it the Cortez Mine.
Large-scale development stalled for decades, but that changed in the 1940s, when Dowell Ward acquired the property and pushed its output higher than almost anywhere else in the state. By 1968, cumulative production from the Fox Mine had passed 500,000 pounds, an extraordinary figure for a single Nevada turquoise deposit and one that helped cement the mine's reputation among lapidaries and jewelry makers well beyond Nevada's borders.
Whether the mine remains active today is harder to pin down. Sources disagree, and output has clearly slowed compared with its mid-century peak. The material's staying power is easier to confirm: Fox turquoise mined decades ago still circulates through the Southwest jewelry trade, prized by artists for its color and its matrix in equal measure.
What Makes Fox Turquoise Distinct
Color is usually the first thing people notice. Fox turquoise ranges from a clean, pale sky blue through richer greens, and a single stone will sometimes shift between the two depending on how the light hits it. A matrix, typically dark brown or black, runs through that color, appearing as fine webbing in some stones and bolder, more irregular patterning in others. Both looks have their own appeal, and that variation is part of what makes each piece one of a kind.
The stone also takes a strong polish. Fox turquoise runs harder than many Southwest varieties, which lets an artist cut and finish it to a glassy shine without the material chipping or dulling as quickly as softer stones can. That combination, color paired with a durable finish, is a large part of why the mine enjoyed the reputation it did during its most productive years.
Fox Turquoise Jewelry Styles Available at SilverTQ
Because inventory in this collection turns over as pieces sell, the exact stones and settings on hand will vary from one visit to the next. Here is a general sense of what jewelry lovers typically find here.
Bracelets
Cuff bracelets make up a large share of this collection, often set with a single substantial cabochon or arranged as a row of smaller, closely matched stones along the band. Row-style settings call for real patience, since an artist must match stones by color and size before the piece reaches the silverwork stage. Bracelet sizing in this collection typically runs from about 6.25 inches to 7.25 inches, though that range shifts as pieces sell and new ones are added.
Rings
Rings here range from single-stone settings, where one Fox turquoise cabochon sits at the center of a simple band, to cluster designs that group multiple smaller stones together for a bolder look. Ring sizes vary by piece and typically range from size 8 to 11.
Pendants
Pendants in this collection often use a cluster setting, surrounding a central stone with smaller accent stones for added depth. Because a pendant hangs rather than wraps around the wrist or finger, it gives an artist more room to work with irregular or larger cabochons than a ring or bracelet setting typically allows.
Bolo Ties
A bolo tie built around Fox turquoise usually centers on one large cabochon, sometimes paired with silverwork depicting an eagle or another traditional Navajo motif. Bolo ties in this collection tend to run larger and heavier than everyday jewelry, made for someone who wants a bold, eye-catching piece.
Who Makes This Jewelry
Every piece in this Fox turquoise collection comes from a reputable Navajo artist, and many have spent decades building a reputation within the Southwest jewelry trade. Some specialize in row-style bracelets, matching a dozen or more stones by eye before any silverwork begins. Others focus on cluster settings, and still others are known for their stamp work or for building bracelets from heavy-gauge silver that gives a piece real presence on the wrist.
SilverTQ has built relationships with artists like these over more than 45 years in the business, so all pieces in this collection have already been vetted for quality and technique before being listed. Because Fox turquoise inventory shifts often, and an individual artist may only have a piece or two in stock at any given time, this section stays general rather than naming specific artists. Anyone curious about a particular artist's full body of work can browse our complete artists page.
How to Choose Fox Turquoise Jewelry
Start with color. Fox turquoise runs from blue to green, so it helps to think about what’s currently in your jewelry box and whether you want a piece that matches or one that stands apart. Matrix pattern is also an important factor, as some jewelry lovers prefer a cleaner stone with only light webbing, while others are drawn to a bold, irregular matrix that makes each piece feel like a small landscape.
SilverTQ bracelets typically list an inside circumference along with the width of the opening, so measuring your wrist against both numbers, not just the circumference, gives a more accurate fit. Ring sizes follow standard US sizing, and the team is happy to help match a listed size to your own if you’re unsure.
Fox turquoise jewelry also makes a beautiful gift. A cuff bracelet suits an anniversary or milestone birthday well, while a smaller pendant works nicely for a graduation or as a first turquoise piece someone buys for themselves.
Caring for Fox Turquoise Jewelry
Sterling silver responds well to a standard silver polish, and a light pass every so often keeps the metal around your Fox turquoise stone bright instead of dull. Turquoise needs a gentler touch; it’s a naturally porous stone, so keeping it away from perfume and lotion helps preserve its color over the years. The same goes for direct sunlight, especially over long periods of time.
Store pieces separately rather than tossing them together in a jewelry box, since turquoise scratches more easily than metal and other pieces can mark the stone. A soft cloth pouch or a lined drawer works well for day-to-day storage between wears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fox turquoise?
Fox turquoise is a variety of turquoise mined from the Fox Mine in Lander County, Nevada. It’s known for a color range running from sky blue through green, usually combined with a dark brown or black matrix.
Where does Fox turquoise come from?
Fox turquoise comes from the Fox Mine, historically called the Cortez Mine, located near Crescent Valley in Lander County, Nevada. Native American communities in the area used the site long before a formal claim was filed there in 1914.
What color is Fox turquoise?
Fox turquoise most often appears somewhere between sky blue and a richer green, and both shades sometimes show up within the same stone. Its matrix, the veining that runs through the turquoise, typically appears dark brown or black.
Is Fox turquoise rare?
Fox turquoise is considered one of the more historically significant Nevada turquoise varieties, and material from its most productive decades is less common today than it once was. Sources differ on whether the mine still produces turquoise in any real quantity, which adds to its standing among people who value older material.
How much does Fox turquoise jewelry cost?
Prices depend on the stone's size, the setting, and the artist. In this collection, Fox turquoise jewelry typically ranges from several hundred dollars for a smaller pendant or ring up to well into five figures for a rare, large-format bracelet.
How do I clean and care for Fox turquoise jewelry?
Use a standard silver polish on the sterling silver portion of the piece, applied with a soft cloth. Avoid soaking the piece or scrubbing the turquoise directly. Keep the jewelry away from perfume and lotion, and try to limit its time in direct sunlight, since turquoise can be affected by exposure over time.
How do I find my ring or bracelet size?
For rings, SilverTQ uses standard US ring sizing, and their sizing page walks through how to measure an existing ring or your finger at home. For bracelets, look at the inside circumference listed on each product page and compare it with a soft measuring tape around your wrist, adding a little room if you prefer a looser fit.
Which Native American artists make Fox turquoise jewelry?
The Fox turquoise jewelry in this collection is handmade by reputable Navajo artists, many with decades of experience working with Southwest turquoise. Because inventory shifts as pieces sell, the specific artists represented at any given time can change.
