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Turquoise Jewelry | Natural Turquoise
Jewelry |
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Turquoise Jewelry
Buying Guide:Each
Native American jewelry item is hand
crafted and has unique characteristics. When buying
turquoise
jewelry,
we recommend enlarging the pictures to look carefully at
the detail of the turquoise and the work of the
silversmith. We provide enlarged pictures of every item
we have listed, but if you would like to see additional
pictures, do not hesitate to
email us.
By looking closely at the craftsmanship, ask yourself,
"how was this piece made?" and try to capture the
artistry in how the jeweler made the piece. Learn to
identify: |
Quality of the Setting:
Sterling Silver is .925 (92.5% pure sterling silver)
pure. Indian jewelers however do not generally use the
.925 stamp in their jewelry unlike some of the Mexican
jewelers or importers of imitation American
Indian jewelry. |
Jewelry Techniques:
Hand-made Indian jewelry displays marks of hammers,
chisels and file-work and when enlarged, small
irregularities can be seen. Sandcast sterling silver
jewelry is made by carving the jewelry form into
sandstone or volcanic stone (tufcast), then pouring
molten silver into the pattern. In mass-produced
jewelry, the method of spin-casting reveals striations
resulting from centrifugal forces in the casting
process. This jewelry is generally an imitation of the
original and is common with importers of "Indian like"
jewelry. |
Quality of Workmanship:
Hand-made American Indian jewelry should
be well balanced but unsymmetrical as well. The edges
should not be rough and the solder marks should be
barely visible. The jewelry settings should be
artistically formed to hold the gemstone in asymmetrical
balance. In mosaic jewelry common to Santo Domingo
Indian jewelry, the gemstones should be cut and fitted
with exactness. Cluster and needlepoint jewelry, common
among the Navajo and Zuni Indian jewelry, the placement
of each gemstone should be well balanced. In traditional
hand-made turquoise jewelry, each strike by the chisel
of the silversmith creates distinctive markings on the
silver, and the unique characteristics of the turquoise
or other gemstone makes for a one-of-a-kind collectable
piece of jewelry. |
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Turquoise from various turquoise mines has distinctive characteristics:
Bisbee Turquoise, Number 8 Turquoise, Kingman Turquoise, Turquoise
Mountain Turquoise, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise |
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Bisbee Turquoise:Bisbee turquoise is mined near Bisbee, AZ and
is one of the most collectable and expensive turquoise gemstones because
of its rarity, high density and extreme clarity. The Bisbee turquoise
mine has recently been declared depleted and was subsequently buried
under 50 feet of dirt. |
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Number 8 Turquoise:
The Number 8 Turquoise mine was in Carlin, NV but since first mined in
1929 has been depleted in 1961. While active the Number 8 Turquoise mine
produced some of the largest turquoise gemstones ever mined. Number 8
Turquoise is also referred as the gold-webbed turquoise due to its
unique matrix of colors ranging from golden brown to black, set against
the powder blue stone. Since the depletion of the mine and the unique
characteristics of Number 8 Turquoise, this gemstone has become highly
collectable. |
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The Kingman Turquoise mine in northwestern Arizona is one of the largest
turquoise mines in existence. The color of the Kingman Turquoise has
become a standard for the industry. The mine became famous for it’s high
grade bright blue nuggets with a distinctive black matrix. Natural
Kingman Turquoise is highly collectable. |
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Turquoise Mountain Turquoise: Located near Kingman
Mountain, Turquoise Mountain produces some of the most beautiful
turquoise mined today. The gemstone has a distinct range in color from
pale blue to lime green that makes Turquoise Mountain Turquoise one of
the most sought after gemstones. Also referred to as “Birdseye”
turquoise, which describes the gemstone’s character of light blue,
circled with a darker blue matrix resembling that of a bird’s eye. |
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The Sleeping Turquoise mine in near Globe, AZ.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is noted for it’s solid, light blue gemstone
with no matrix. This mine is also one of the largest in the Southwest.
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is one of the most popular with the Zuni
Pueble silversmiths for use in petite point and inlay jewelry designs.
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Turquoise jewelry has become quite the fashion statement to the modern wardrobe. There are many varieties of gemstones, all with unique characteristics which are mined from the various regions of the United States.
Double Dee Deals specializes in many varieties of this special gemstone. We carry a wide selection of
turquoise rings,
turquoise bracelets, turquoise necklaces,
turquoise pendants,
turquoise earrings, hair accessories, belt
buckles, bolo ties and much more with these gems mined and settings in
Blue Ridge Turquoise, Bisbee
Turquoise, Number 8 Turquoise jewelry,
Kingman Turquoise jewelry,
Turquoise Mountain Turquoise jewelry,
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Jewelry, Royston, Blue Ridge, Carico Lake mines and more. Please visit our
Gemstone Directory to learn more about the different mines and the many variations available.
Turquoise is considered by the Native Americans to be the sky stone. For centuries, generations have been intrigued by this gem and it has been incorporated into ceremonial and everyday jewelry, and has long been passed down to generations. The wearer actually develops a unique bond with the turquoise jewelry as the body oils evolve the color and character of the gemstone.
When considering your purchase, the value of your turquoise
Native American jewelry is determined by the density, depth of color, stone matrix and rarity of the gemstone. Density is most important because it determines the stones color, depth, brilliance and is considered a semi-precious gemstone, each with its own unique character. The most valuable grades, also being the rarest, have deep brilliant shades of blues and greens that can be reflected as a clear morning sky.
Matrix is what gives each gemstone it’s unique character and signature. In grading the matrix, a pattern that is evenly distributed is most valuable. The “Spider web” matrix is the rarest and most sought after.
Many shoppers of
turquoise jewelry however are mainly interested in finding that special piece with a certain shape, color and matrix that calls to them. The silver setting also adds value by displaying the gemstone to its best advantage.
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