Number 8 Turquoise

Carlin, Nevada

Distinctive spiderweb matrix. Largely mined out.

Where it comes from

The Number 8 mine takes its name from the mining claim number assigned to the property near Carlin in northeastern Nevada. It was discovered in the early 1900s and produced some of the most visually distinctive turquoise to ever come out of the American Southwest. The mine has been largely mined out for decades, making authentic Number 8 stone increasingly scarce.

Most of the Number 8 turquoise on the market today comes from existing stockpiles held by collectors, dealers, and lapidary artists. New material doesn't come out of the ground anymore. What exists is what's left.

What it looks like

Number 8 is immediately recognizable for its spiderweb matrix. The pattern is a network of fine, dark lines (golden-brown to black) running across a blue or blue-green background. The best pieces have tight, intricate webbing that covers the entire stone, creating a look that's almost like stained glass or crackled pottery.

The blue tones range from medium to deep, and the contrast between the turquoise and the warm matrix is what gives Number 8 its visual impact. Some pieces lean more toward blue-green with lighter brown webbing, while others show deeper blue with near-black matrix lines. Both are prized.

What makes it special

The spiderweb. Full stop. While other mines produce turquoise with matrix, very few create the consistent, fine-lined web pattern that defines Number 8. It's one of those stones where you know what you're looking at the moment you see it. That instant recognizability is rare in the turquoise world.

Number 8 also benefits from its scarcity. The mine has been inactive for years, and the existing supply continues to shrink as stones get set into jewelry and move into private collections. For turquoise collectors, owning a quality Number 8 piece is a benchmark.

Value and availability

Number 8 sits firmly in collector territory. High-grade pieces with tight spiderweb matrix command strong prices, and those prices have been trending upward as supply dwindles. Even lower-grade Number 8 carries a premium over most active-mine turquoise simply because of the mine's reputation and finite supply.

If you're shopping for Number 8, buy from someone who can verify the mine origin. The stone's popularity means its name sometimes gets attached to turquoise that doesn't actually come from the Number 8 claim. Authentic sourcing matters here.

Number 8 in our collection

When we get our hands on Number 8 stones, they go into pieces that let the spiderweb do the talking. This isn't a stone that needs a complicated setting. Clean silverwork and a well-cut cabochon are all it takes. If you spot Number 8 in our collection, know that it won't be there long.