A Bisbee Turquoise slab is simply a sliced section of Bisbee conglomerate rock containing turquoise.

Some of these slabs may be further sliced to possibly reveal (or not) more turquoise. You never know what further exploration may reveal!

A Bisbee cabochon first starts out as a chunk of conglomerate rock from the Bisbee mining district, containing Bisbee Turquoise.

The rock is then cut into slabs, similar to the configuration of a thinly cut loaf of bread.

The slabs are further cut down into oval shapes called “preforms.”  Preforms can then be sanded and polished into a cabochon shape. A  “cabochon” is a stone which is shaped into a dome with a flat bottom.

What do you do with a Bisbee Turquoise Slab?

• They make great paperweights!
• They are wonderful as an example to display upright or flat!
•  Cut a cabochon out of it (depending on the stability)