The Southwest United States is a significant source of turquoise. The deposits of California and New Mexico were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. New Mexico is thought to be the location of the oldest mines; prior to the 1920s, the state was the country's largest producer; it is more or less exhausted today.

Arizona is an important producer of turquoise. Two mines exist in the state, one is the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe and the other is the Kingman Mine that operates alongside a copper mine outside of the city. The turquoise occurs as vein or seam fillings, and as compact nuggets.

Nevada is the country's other major producer, with more than 120 mines which have yielded significant quantities of turquoise. Because of the geology of the Nevada deposits, a majority of the material produced is hard and dense, being of sufficient quality that no treatment or enhancement is required. Nevada has produced a wide diversity of colors and mixes of different matrix patterns, with turquoise from Nevada coming in various shades of blue, blue-green, and green. Nevada produces some unique shades of bright mint to apple to neon yellow green.