Strike Out or Strike it Rich: Could You Make it as a Turquoise Miner?

How would you do mining for turquoise?

Blistering heat. Arctic cold. The days are long, and the work is hard. But stick it out and learn the tricks of the trade, and you could be bringing home a pretty nice payday. Do you think you have what it takes? Let’s find out.

Water, aluminum and copper are the main minerals that make up turquoise.
Correct
True
Turquoise is formed over millions of years, as water seeps through rock containing copper, aluminum, and other minerals. The water gains color and eventually hardens and forms the turquoise stone.
The correct answer is
True
Turquoise is formed over millions of years, as water seeps through rock containing copper, aluminum, and other minerals. The water gains color and eventually hardens and forms the turquoise stone.
If the turquoise stone is green, that means that more aluminum is present.
Correct
False
If the stone is green, that means that more iron is present.
The correct answer is
False
If the stone is green, that means that more iron is present.
You can follow a feeder vein to get to turquoise.
Correct
True
Once the rocks are exposed, you can follow a feeder vein (the cracks in the rock) to get you to the turquoise.
The correct answer is
True
Once the rocks are exposed, you can follow a feeder vein (the cracks in the rock) to get you to the turquoise.
White buffalo is a type of turquoise.
Correct
False
Even though the Otteons mine for White Buffalo on their claims, the stone is actually dolomite, which is made up of calcium magnesium carbonate.
The correct answer is
False
Even though the Otteons mine for White Buffalo on their claims, the stone is actually dolomite, which is made up of calcium magnesium carbonate.
Turquoise stones that have light and dark green or light and dark blue are called dual toned.
Correct
False
Turquoise with both light and dark colors are called two toned.
The correct answer is
False
Turquoise with both light and dark colors are called two toned.
150 pounds of ammonium nitrate (ANFO) is enough to vaporize a car.
Correct
True
Ammonium nitrate is a powerful explosive tool that is used to fill drill holes to spread the explosion. Use sparingly.
The correct answer is
True
Ammonium nitrate is a powerful explosive tool that is used to fill drill holes to spread the explosion. Use sparingly.
Lead line is used to get the miner as close to the explosion as possible.
Correct
False
Quite the opposite, actually. Lead line is connected to the dynamite in the drill holes, and then strung far away from the blast site. This lets the miners get to where they want to be when they set off the explosion.
The correct answer is
False
Quite the opposite, actually. Lead line is connected to the dynamite in the drill holes, and then strung far away from the blast site. This lets the miners get to where they want to be when they set off the explosion.
You’ve found some turquoise! Yay! Now you should lick it to see if it’s what you want.
Correct
True
Go ahead, give that stone a lick! Licking the stone, or the “tongue test” as the Ottesons call it, helps the miner to see if the stone will have the hardness it needs, and gives an idea of how it will look when it is polished.
The correct answer is
True
Go ahead, give that stone a lick! Licking the stone, or the “tongue test” as the Ottesons call it, helps the miner to see if the stone will have the hardness it needs, and gives an idea of how it will look when it is polished.
When you are licking the stone, if it sticks to your tongue then you know you have high-grade turquoise.
Correct
False
If the stone sticks to your tongue, it’s not what you need. When the stone is smooth and feels like glass, that’s when you know that you have some good stuff.
The correct answer is
False
If the stone sticks to your tongue, it’s not what you need. When the stone is smooth and feels like glass, that’s when you know that you have some good stuff.
“Paint” on rocks above ground might be a good indication that turquoise is underground.
Correct
True
“Paint” is what the Ottesons call rocks on the surface that look like blue color has been painted on with a paintbrush. Usually, these rocks indicate that there is high-grade turquoise underground.
The correct answer is
True
“Paint” is what the Ottesons call rocks on the surface that look like blue color has been painted on with a paintbrush. Usually, these rocks indicate that there is high-grade turquoise underground.

You Got out of right!

Turquoise Mining Master

You rock! TNT is basically the soundtrack to your life, because you live for the long days getting to explode some rocks and hunt for your next big find in the mines. Learn some more tips and tricks from the Ottesons by watching Turquoise Fever, on INSP.

Share the Results

Turquoise Mining Mentor

Looks like you have some high-grade knowledge about turquoise mining! Way to go! Learn even more tricks of the trade by watching Turquoise Fever, on INSP.

Share the Results

Turquoise Mining Novice

This isn’t your first explosion, but you got a little confused. That’s okay, it happens to the best of us. Clear up some of that confusion by watching Turquoise Fever, on INSP.

Share the Results

Turquoise Mining Newbie

Looks like you got your detonation cords in a tangle. Turns out you’re pretty new at this whole mining thing, but don’t let that stop you from trying to strike it rich next time! Brush up on those mining skills by watching Turquoise Fever on INSP.

Share the Results