Someday I’d love to see some of your work. I have wondered about it for a long time. My guess is that it is very nice.
Adoption papers might be fine but remember that I’m now jobless and you may have to help my husband with the bills. lol
You are welcome to message my anytime you have a chance to send pictures. You always do so much to help when I get on a tangent trying to ferret out info. Thank you.
That is a very fine and large Valley Blue stone, in a fine bracelet. I would ask at least $5/ct for the stone + whatever the bracelet is worth… which looks like a fine Martinez piece. I wouldn’t accept $1200 for the piece…
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Thank you for your input. I probably wouldn’t even consider that price. I am completely smitten and the fact that it is secure and doesn’t shift at all when I wear it is a huge factor. I am left handed and wear it on that arm. Lots of movement and totally stays in place.
I’m also still researching the possibility of an old connection with Dry Creek prior to Dry Creek being officially discovered. I believe that would increase the value substantially. Regardless, I am very happy with it! 
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That is a stunning piece of mr Martinez’s work. I am extremely fortunate to have a couple of his pieces. I was introduced to him back in the 80’s. Knowing some of his history made my pieces that much more priceless!!
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Oh I’m so glad you saw the post and commented. I would love to know more about him and his work. I wouldn’t mind seeing your pieces if you would like to share. I bet they’re equally beautiful! I have checked in my hallmark books and there is almost nothing about him. It also does not link him to any of the currently producing Martinez artists. If you don’t want to make a public post please feel free to send me a message. I’m very curious to know more about him. Thank you so much.
My great aunt worked in his jewelry store in bishop ca back in the 80’s. He was one of the Indians that took over Alcatraz in the 70’s. He said his mark the feather and broken lance represents all the treaties that have been broken. I don’t believe he is still alive . I tried contacting some people with the same last name in Bishop but no responses.
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I like both necklaces! What great info about Alcatraz and his hallmark. I have wondered if he might be related to Rick or Calvin Martinez but so far have found no link. Thanks for sharing your pictures and information.
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I would love to hear the story of how you acquired that amazing cuff!!
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There was a woman on Facebook that advertised it in one of the groups that I’m in. She wanted a considerable amount of money and I got the impression that she didn’t really want to sell but needed to. I messaged her and after a lot of discussion we agreed on a trade. I got the Martinez cuff and she got a piece of mine that she liked. She is from somewhere in the Missouri-Illinois area if I remember correctly. We both got our packages in the mail and then I got Covid and ended up in the hospital for several days. I had her package waiting for me when I got home. Boy was I happy!
Never thought to ask her if she had any history on the cuff. Think I may look her up and ask. If there’s more I’ll tell you know. 
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Oh, please do!! That’s ironic that she lived in the Midwest. I loved most of my childhood in central Illinois!
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I sent her a message this morning but have not seen her online. I shared what you were able to tell me about Mr Martinez. I’ll let you know when I hear back.
Hi, it’s been a while but I finally got my answer. I’m attaching screenshots from FB messenger. I contacted the Woods couple that are the current owners of the Godber-Burnhan mine. She answered first and when I asked for clarification on the necklace cuff relationship he answered and said that both the necklace and the Martinez Valley Blue cuff were from the Mastrada mine. Stan Maestretti is/was his cousin and he was very familiar with the stones from the mine. Therefore, I believe that makes the necklace “Sacred Buffalo” and the two are related. Wonder how that affects the price. I haven’t seen much in my searches but I have more searching to do.
Thanks Marky! Hope you found some good stones on your visit. 
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And the answer was worth waiting for! Great information.
Hope you’re fully recovered by now.
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Yes it was! I just felt so strongly that they were related and now I know-only it was different from the answer I expected. I had no idea that the necklace was from the Mastrada mine. Now how do I figure out a value? So far I’ve not had much luck with finding anything much less anything so extravagant. I feel like it’s more valuable than regular Dry Creek. Also wonder how old the stones are.
I’m feeling fine but I’ve just been being lazy because I have a pretty busy week coming up. Thanks for asking.
Dry Creek prices at $16/carat vs. Valley Blue at $12/carat, per Nevadagem. Dry Creek is hard and natural so not treated, accounting for its higher value.
Sources online are very fuzzy about the marketing name Sacred Buffalo: some say it’s just another name for Dry Creek, but your Woods people say it’s a name for the light-colored material from Valley Blue. Two different mine possibilities! This is an example of the complications buying on the secondary market.
https://www.nevadagem.com/pages/categorypages/nevadablue.html
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I’m not sure we’re on the same page. Neither of these pieces is stabilized and the turquoise in the squash blossom is almost translucent. Mr. Wood said that it came from the Mastrada mine. I know the cuff is from the 70’s. I’d love to know when the turquoise in the necklace was mined. I have regular Dry Creek also and this is nicer. I honestly don’t think it’s less hard. I’d be curious to know what @Jason has to say on the subject.
I think the necklace is what they would have considered “Sacred Buffalo” and I believe it was made as a special piece. Each side has 11 blossoms and the naja has 11 stones. If you’re into numerology those are significant numbers. I’d also like to check more than one source. Thanks for the info from Nevada Gem.
You misunderstood my comment. I didn’t say your material was stabilized; I was merely saying that according to info available Dry Creek turquoise normally isn’t stabilized because of its hardness, and this makes it cost more when bought in cabs. Valley Blue, in contrast, is sold sometimes as stabilized cabs, at lower pricing. I personally can’t speak to what stones your things are.
There’s more on Sacred Buffalo and Valley Blue at durangosilver.com and I’m sure many other sources.
By the way that excerpt about Mastrada you posted just below is identical to copy on durangosilver.com, so it’s either a cut and paste from them or they ran/run both sites.
https://www.durangosilver.com/NevadaturqM.htm
Since it’s the Mastrada family that owns Valley Blue, per Joe Dan Lowry, is the so-called Mastrada turquoise a marketing of pale material mined at Valley Blue? Or actually a different mine? Both are stated to be in the same location, Austin, NV.
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This is about the Mastrada mine.
Maybe I overreacted. Sorry, I just feel that this is really good turquoise. Please accept my apologies for snapping. 
It’s my understanding from what I have been able to find out, they are two separate mines but not far apart. According to Mr. Wood, the Mastrada mine is owned by his cousin Stan. I believe he worked for him in the summers and then ultimately he and his wife bought the Godber-Burnham.
I also think the “sacred Buffalo “ and the chunk of Valley Blue were discovered and mined before the more recent Dry Creek of the 90’s. Maybe one day I’ll know for sure. Thanks for your help.