Sunwest Turquoise

Turquoise, silver charms and findings, and finished handmade jewelry are available for artisans, collectors, and manufacturers. Sunwest also operates five turquoise mines in the southwestern United States, providing stones for jewelry making and collecting. Its Albuquerque location houses a large private turquoise collection, begun by Ernest Montoya in the early 1970s, and visitors can ask for a tour. The business grew from Montoya's sales of Native American handmade jewelry and was established as Sunwest Silver Co. in 1972. Its specialties include turquoise sourced from its own mines and finished work created by Southwest Native artisans. The Albuquerque location is at 324 Lomas Blvd NW.