Golden Hills Turquoise

Altyn-Tyube, Kazakhstan

Rare lavender-blue with pinkish-brown matrix.

Where it comes from

Golden Hills turquoise comes from the Altyn-Tyube mine in Kazakhstan, discovered in 2013. The mine sits in a remote, rugged part of the country where the climate is brutal most of the year. Mining is only possible during a short summer season, which severely limits the amount of material that reaches the market.

Every stone has traveled a long way to get to Santa Fe. The combination of geographic isolation, weather-restricted access, and small-scale operation means Golden Hills will likely remain a low-supply stone for the foreseeable future.

What it looks like

Golden Hills is instantly recognizable. The color is a soft lavender-blue, sometimes tipping toward an icy periwinkle, that doesn't appear in any other commercial turquoise. The matrix is typically a warm golden-brown that contrasts beautifully against the pale stone. Some pieces show a faint cocoa-colored veining that almost looks painted on.

Photographs don't fully capture Golden Hills. The pastel quality and the way the matrix glows under natural light have to be seen in person to fully appreciate.

What makes it special

Color, scarcity, and freshness. Most American collectors hadn't seen Golden Hills until the late 2010s, which means it sits outside the traditional Southwest turquoise canon. That gives pieces a contemporary feel even when set in traditional silverwork. The lavender tone also pairs beautifully with skin tones and clothing palettes that don't always suit the deeper, more saturated turquoises.

It's becoming a collector favorite quickly, and prices have climbed steadily since it first arrived in the U.S. market.

Value and availability

Golden Hills is one of the harder turquoises to source consistently. Quality pieces with strong lavender color and clean matrix are priced firmly and tend to move fast. Lower-grade material exists but doesn't have the same visual impact, so it's worth holding out for a piece with the true Golden Hills character.

If a Golden Hills stone catches your eye, it's a smart buy. The supply story is unlikely to improve.

Golden Hills in our collection

We carry select Golden Hills pieces including the Sagewind Glow earrings and the Skycrest Halo pendant, both featuring stones that show the signature pale lavender-blue with that warm cocoa matrix. These are the pieces we point to when someone wants turquoise that doesn't look like everyone else's turquoise.