Turquoise is a blue to green stone that varies through a wide spectrum of colors and shades. It has been used by ancient and modern civilizations for thousands of years.  It is found in Persia, modern day Iran, China, Tibet, North America, and Egypt.  The Native Americans have been using turquoise for thousands of years.  They would use the material to make beads and primitive inlay jewelry. There are many mines in the Southwestern United States from which turquoise has been extracted. With an abundance in Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona. Many of these mines are copper mines and others are solely turquoise mines. The Cerrillos mine in New Mexico is said to be the oldest mine of any kind in the Unites States.