The reason the market is full of synthetic turquoise, is due to the fact there is so little high quality turquoise mined to meet the market demand.
++The supply of top grade turquoise will never meet the demand++
( Arizona Highways Magazine 1974)
During a recent trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico
daughter bo-peep wore a necklace that someone literally tried to buy off her neck
this vintage squash blossom was gifted to me by my sweet mother
and I love to share it and wear it! It features baroque free form stones with silver beads.
On our most recent trip to Santa Fe
I wore a different squash blossom that also garnered a few compliments
so I decided that I would have a silversmith expert
come to my home to evaluate, identify and appraise
the collection I received from my mother a few Christmases ago--
for fun....she calls it
JOOORY
some of the following I knew,
but I did learn a lot that I would like to share with you
If you like this style of jewelry maybe this post will be helpful to you to make sure you get the very best your money can afford....just like diamonds....you can get high quality to fake...and there is nothing wrong with any of it...as long as YOU know it!
Native American Indians adorned themselves with this cool stone before it was cool!
map of USA Mines
Right now there is a lot of Chinese Turquoise around
but I highly recommend American Turquoise
and jewelry made by Native Americans--
and the very best place to buy is at a pawn shop
look for the words old dead pawn
(remember...there is quite a lot of synthetic and/or man-made stone
which is ok...as long as you are aware of what you are buying)
authentic pieces do not necessarily have to be signed but that's always nice
and all should have the silver hallmark to indicate the purity of the silver
these old vintage silver squash blossoms have such a nice patina, you can just tell by looking
that this is authentic...and you don't polish this...the duller it looks the better
nice examples of old pawn pieces
these feature Manassa and Old Burnham with old silver squash and beads
Native American Pearls
here you can also see a "Grandmother Necklace"
it's the shorter one...legend has it that the grandmother would make the jewelry for her family and with the leftover, make one for herself
I actually purchased the grandmother necklace from Michael while he was here
I love the idea of a grandmother necklace
raw chips....the most prized today is
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Globe, Arizona
the Naja
a nice example of bezel stones and inlay
such drama and talent exhibited in this Kachina
Shadow box cuff...stones set within
cuffs are the most popular and I am loving the turquoise and gold or brass
it looks so nice on tan skin
Zuni Petit Point (Kingman Stones)
Lapis Lazuli set in nickel
sand cast....seen on the left...with Manassa stones
the belt on the right is a good example of synthetic stone
have you considered the dynamic duo of turquoise with pearls???
oh my yes!
Zuni fetish charms
this necklace was given to me by my Uncle Gene when he gave me my
Indian Name...Red Bird
this beaded rosette was made by a man from my own tribe..Choctaw...
it is considered "souvenir"...but it's one of my favorites too!
also shown are garnet, amber, and coral
super duper Fetish! love the example of the matrix
This is one of my favorite sets...the Rocki Gorman dragon flies...
the piece to the right was actually made by my mother...Many Feathers
the smaller najas can adorn any necklace
This fine young Dancing Eagle can be worn as a pin, on beads
or on a bolo tie
So many other stones can be set so nicely in silver
here are a few examples of Angel Skin Coral, Charoite, Red Coral and Jasper
the bear is
which comes in many colors...the green squash blossom is from the Carico Lake Mine, Nevada
Old silver and Red Coral Kachina Necklace
we are descendants of the Turtle Clan, Mississippi Choctaw
from high quality best of the best
to fake and trendy
A girl can never have too many white shirts or turquoise stones!
An investment better than a diamond!
18 comments:
What gorgeous pieces-especially the Squash blossom in the first pic. My mother-in-law loved turquoise and had many pieces of it. I don't know what happened to it when she passed away. It was nowhere to be found. Wish I had just one piece of it now. xo Diana
oh my gosh it all is amazing! For some unknown to me reason I have been attracted to turquoise, it draws me in everytime. I do not own any and rarely see it here, but I have always envisioned myself wearing it, and when I dream I always have it on, is that not the weirdest thing, lol, spooky, lol,
its all beautiful and I think must have special power for certain, such a rich and interesting culture and heritage you have!
I loved seeing your collection! When we were children, my parents built a camp in the Adirondacks and we could walk to a store that sold turquoise jewelry. I wish we could go back in time! It was a great store.
lovely jewelry. you must know how lucky you are to have received such beauty.
Nothing classier than a white shirt and turquoise.
These are great facts. I actually didn't know they're that rare. These are also great pieces. No wonder someone would want to buy it off you if you're wearing one.
These are great facts. I actually didn't know they're that rare. These are also great pieces. No wonder someone would want to buy it off you if you're wearing one.
These are great facts. I actually didn't know they're that rare. These are also great pieces. No wonder someone would want to buy it off you if you're wearing one.
I love all of these creations. I've always loved the color turquoise :)
I have always loved Turquoise...your necklaces are gorgeous! My grandparents were from Arizona and my grandfather spoke Navajo... some pieces I have missed place and I'm sick about it!
I had no idea that it was rare! That necklace your daughter is wearing is truly spectacular!!
Stacy
Wow, no wonder! Your necklace is gorgeous! I can remember spending Easters on South Padre and going over to Matamoros. I always loved the turquoise and silver.
Gorgeous! I've an appreciation for Native American jewelry. You have an incredible collection. My mother-in-law was from Arizona, and she had lovely pieces. One of my sisters-in-law has them now. Thanks for sharing all of this information and the beautiful photos.
Beautiful daughter, beautiful jooory.
: )
I really enjoyed your post...beautiful jewelry..eh..joory.
I have several pieces of it and have given most of my collection to daughter.
What an interesting and informative post featuring some beautiful jewellery! I have always loved turquoise and coral and I have a few pieces which I bought years ago while on holiday. It instantly makes me think of the summer months.
Gina how fascinating and what a treasure you have! Also the stories, like the Grandmother necklace, wonderful!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
The Centre Cannot Hold
You have some gorgeous pieces!!
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