Stunning Pendant and Necklace Set. Genuine Pilot Mountain Turquoise set in Sterling Silver Pendant. Necklace features Genuine Turquoise with Sterling Silver Beads and Clasp. Created by Navajo Artist Freddy Charley. Signed by the artist. The Pilot Mountain mine is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada.The Pilot Mountain Mine is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Pilot Mountain turquoise was first mined around 1930 as a tunnel mine. Then it became an open pit mine when heavy equipment was available around 1970. The current owners of the claim have been mining the turquoise since 1989. While Pilot Mountain is considered an active mine, it is a very small operation. The miners go to the mine twice per year, bringing out only about 150 to 200 lbs. of rough stone each time. One of the current owners says one of the interesting parts of mining is "not knowing what you are going to hit next."