Blackstar Mines
Home to the locally mined 'Tucson Blue' Precious Opal, and Rare & Exotic Gemstones.

Blackstar Mines is owned and operated by John Greene and Cheryl Taylor, who have been mining a local opal called "Tucson Blue", and the deep blue earth stone 'Chrysocolla', for 10 years in the local mountains of southern Arizona. John does the mining and stone cutting, and Cheryl turns the specimens into beautiful jewelry pieces - no commercial settings are used in her jewelry. Cheryl's jewelry includes necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, pins, earrings and more.

Their 'Tucson Blue Opal' (see photo at top tight) only occurs in a small area and is quite rare, and they are the only people actively mining this beautiful blue gem so production is limited.   Most of the 'Tucson Blue' stones are opaque and range in color from a very pale blue to a very dark blue, and some stones will feature red, yellow, blue, green, and sometimes a purple play of color.  This opal does not have the water content that makes other opal delicate. It is harder than most opal and registers between a 6 &7 on the MOH hardness scale. Metaphysically, opals are related to the water element, and have soothing, gentle qualities.

Their Chrysocolla (see photo on left) comes from an old Spanish mine being mined for gold and silver. To this date, the mine still has the original oak tree logs used by the Spaniards, holding the mine shaft open. Chrysocolla is indigenous to the Southwest and occurs with copper. It is deep blue and noted for its bold patterns in green, red, black, gold and silver. It can be called a 'stone' because it blends the energies of the masculine and feminine, physical and ethereal, power and gentleness - all in a beautiful pattern of color.

Blackstar Mines also carries a colorful collection of handmade Dichroic Glass beads, pendants and necklaces.

 

Visit their shop at the Amado Territory Ranch where you can buy Cheryl's one-of-a-kind hand-crafted jewelry pieces, cut stones, and specimens or shop online at www.blackstarmines.com .

Blackstar Mines is located 35 miles South of Tucson at:
Amado Territory Ranch
Exit 48, Interstate I-19
East Frontage Rd., Amado, AZ, 85645
Tel: (520) 398-0451
Web: www.blackstarmines.com