The Villa Grove Turquoise Mine
Welcome to the view from the mine!
Located in Saguache County Colorado at the North end of the San Luis Valley at an elevation of 9500 feet.
How it all Started
In 2023 a Lode mining claim was filed on the historic Villa Grove Turquoise Mine named VG234.
I am 1 of 4 owners of the claim and this gives me the right
to mine and sell the minerals from this location.
This claim is not open to public mineral collecting.
The claim documents are available on the Mineral and Land Record System website.
Randy Christensen owns the 20 acre private patented mine claim to the northeast of the VG234 claim.
Turquoise is a difficult mineral to mine and this location at 9500 ft. adds to the fun factor.
The picture includes Randy’s trommel that was marked as a trespass by the Forest Service.
It was removed in 2024 along with a camper trailer.
Legacy / History / Future
This is the oldest document available for the patented claim owned by Randy Christensen.
This document represents the location of the private patented Lode mine claims named Turquoise and Turquoise Blue from 1903 owned First by
David G. Weems.
Ownership of the patented land has changes hands many times since 1902.
David G. Weems sold the claim to H. A. Hall around 1930.
Minless Winfield acquired the mine from 1950-1960.
George Musick bought the patented land and 7 unpatented claims surrounding the mine around 1966.
Randy and Holly Christensen acquired the patented land in the mid 1990’s and are the current owners of the private land.
The mine has a history of producing copper before the turquoise in the industrial age, but stories of Indian / Native American peoples precede this in the time we have kept records for this mineral rich hillside.
Along with the turquoise nuggets veins and lodes; their also occurs other interesting minerals. Wavellite is the next most noteable. Phyrite, Galena, Chalcophyrite, and more occur in lesser amounts.
These are cabochons I mined in 2023 and cut in 2024.
The photo below includes Wavellite on the lower left as pale green/gray rays from the blue turquoise nuggets with phyrite as black specks middle right and left. Botryoidal white orange Wavellite; throughout the right side cab with pale turquoise intermingled.
Tasty Turquoise
Polished Rough Specimen
The water level and color of the pond changes from Blue to Green with rainfall and seasons.
Small chips and nuggets occur most often.
Mineral specimens of turquoise and wavellite are a surprise.
Rare cut-able pieces of vein and nuggets are not common.
Feel free to email me with any questions.
Check out my Ebay shop for available material.
Currently the future of this claim is under development. Talks with the Rio Grande Forest Service as the surface management agency for this location are ongoing.
The corners have been clearly marked as required by Colorado law.
Signs have been posted and this claim is absolutely not open to public mineral collecting.
Updates and Announcements Coming Soon!
