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Greetings. I started buying pieces back in 1980. Turquoise is such a beautiful stone with such variations. I have always gravitated towards the less variegated, pure sky blue stones myself. I have a cuff I have worn day and night for 40 years. It started out sky blue but has turned greenish over time. I knew that would happen but I feel it that shows that I have loved it.
Greetings to all! Both of my parents were from Arizona and my paternal grandfather worked in the Morenci mine as a mine boss. My Dad would always have use looking at old mines for cool minerals when we visited family in Phoenix. I grew up in Southern California learning about turquoise because my mom loved and had lots of turquoise jewelry. During the Covid pandemic lockdown, I entertained myself by learning to make turquoise jewelry and am just about ready to start selling it online and at local shows. I have a few pieces of turquoise that I’d like help identifying.
Aww, I grew up with Arizona Highways too.
Hello,
I signed up with this forum because I have been doing research on turquoise jewelry and Native American jewelry. I recently resigned from a company that deals in estate jewelry and has literally “bucket loads” of sterling silver jewelry with, let’s say, a Southwest appeal. And, without knowing what it is, the sales people say it is Native American if it has turquoise in it. (I was not a sales person). My repeated attempts to have them research the items fell on deaf ears. So, I thought I would do the research and try to educate them. It is a lot to learn and I have since ventured out on my own and started my own company. I feel bad for their future customers. As a result, though,I hope to NEVER mislead anyone and will ALWAYS do my due diligence in researching and representing my merchandise. Other than that, I lived in Arizona from 1984 to 1991 and fell in love with almost everything Arizona had to offer! I moved when I joined the Army. I enjoy reading about all gemstones and find beauty in each one!
Welcome to Turquoise People!!
It’s so disheartening to hear that sellers don’t care to find out the truth, but I think all of us regulars on here are familiar with that. Research is difficult, and people don’t seem to want to be bothered with doing it. Thank you for desiring to be honest. And thank you for your service!
Thank you for saying that. After I submitted, I realized how “snarky” I sounded. I am new here, and unfamiliar with navigating and could not find it to see if I could edit. I love learning about everything, and there is so much to learn! Turquoise is difficult. I have heard that GIA is going to start a grading system for turquoise, and I am eager to see how it turns out. I am NOT a GIA grad, though. My eyes are too old to try to go through that. I look forward to all that I can learn in this forum. Again, thanks!
Hi, I love all stones and enjoy learning about turquoise and the artistry of jewelry making.
Hi and welcome. I haven’t been on here much recently and just saw your post. Why don’t you post some of your work and get some opinions? Without provenance turquoise identification is an educated guess at best but there are some quite knowledgeable people in this group. I look forward to seeing what you have posted.
Hello! I am a treasure hunter and enjoy finding artifacts in the woods, as well as finding rare pieces of jewelry and other odds and ends at estates. I especially like jewelry pieces featuring bears or corn . Excited to join this community and learn from people about jewelry and Native American art!
Welcome to Turquoise People!
New to finding out about Turquoise. I have always loved rocks gems and minerals. I won a blue ribbon at the State Fair way back in 1969 or 70. I will be 70 this year. A few years ago I went to a yard sale and saw some beautiful turquoise jewelry. I thought it must be fake cuz the kid taking the money said $15.00 when I asked the price. I couldn’t get the money out fast enough and left the yard sale. I already had bought a ring at a pawn shop on the Bannock Shoshone reservation. and My late fiancee bought me a ring in Soda Springs Idaho.I am trying to figure out how to upload my photos.
I will definitely do that. I buy my turquoise directly from the Kingman mine and from professional dealers who source their turquoise before selling it. Usually I try not to buy anything that I can’t definitely identify, but I do have a bunch of cabs that I bought years and years ago in southern AZ that I could use some help with that I will post those in the future.
My name is Donna, always loved indian jewelry but all mine was stolen, so I’m trying to buy some pieces here and there, i have a few a friend gave me and she is in her 80s, said they were old. They are in my pending status
Welcome to Turquoise People! You can learn a lot if you read the threads on here. What a bummer to have your jewelry stolen.
Hi everyone,
My name is Dave, glad to be here! I am a buyer and seller of turquoise, rough and finished and beginning to learn wire wrapping. I love anything turquoise! I’ve been in the business since 2014 and live in southern California
Hello Everyone!
I’m an older dude who just turned 81. I began collecting SW NA turquoise jewelry about six months ago and have learned a lot from observing and participating in internet discussions. There are more self-styled experts than real ones. There I’d like to show a recent acquisition and generate some discussion. It’s a Navajo squash blossom necklace from the 1950-70 period. I purchased from a NM woman who reports it belonged to her grandmother who never wore it. It is somewhat unusual in that each stone is attached to a 3-chain beaded necklace rather than the usual double chain. Also the stones are elongated and are a beautiful royal blue with matrix. Is it possible this might be Bisbee Turquoise? Thanks!
@Sleepingbeauty Hi & Welcome. That’s a gorgeous squash blossom necklace. Looks to be in excellent condition. Is there a hallmark on the naja? If yes, could you please post a photo of the whole back of the necklace? The turquoise doesn’t look like Bisbee, imo. Though, I’m not saying it isn’t. My guess would be Kingman turquoise, or maybe Morenci, with pyrite. However, without provenance for the turquoise, it’s challenging to accurately determine the type or mine.
Patina,
I haven’t had time to examine the back, yet. It’s late, but will post a obverse photo tomorrow.
Welcome to Turquoise People! I agree, I don’t think that it is Bisbee. It doesn’t quite look like it, and Bisbee is rather rare, so it would be unlikely to have that much in one piece I would think. I also suspect it’s not as early as the '50s, although I’m not an expert on age.
You might get more input on your necklace if you made a new post with it in a category such as “identifying and discovering.” People don’t always notice items tagged on at the end of this long thread. Just a suggestion.
