Thanks @StevesTrail !
I had fun making it.
I’m a recent convert to variscite, and plan to buy more at the next gem and mineral show coming up in March.
Here’s another one, finished tonight!
It’s a little different from my usual style, and I tried something funky with the shank.
Not sure about origin of the turquoise.
Your pieces are so lovely and your technique is so perfect. I only recently started learning metalsmithing and still have a long way to go. I hope i can be as good one day! I have a bunch of cabs of various stones I’ve held onto for a while
Cool design @Stracci .
@Stracci What a beautiful ring! You hit a home run with that unique shank. All joking aside, I truly think that’s a Kingman turquoise cab. Lovely piece of turquoise.
You need to continue being different and funky. This one turned out great!
Curious, what do you use to add the dark patina?
@TAH
Thanks!
I’m trying to think outside the box. It’s hard!
I use this stuff. Stinky and toxic, but it works
@Zephyr @Zephyr @StevesTrail
Thanks for your nice comments. I was inspired by something I saw in an antique mall.
Absolutely lovely. So talented
I really love this one! Everything about it is perfection. And I agree with Patina, I am going to say this looks like Kingman to me also (surprise surprise). I love the band; I’m always looking for rings with wider bands.
Really gorgeous. I love how you showed it in stages. Do you glue the stone down? Do you put in a sawdust base? You’re talented.
@here4turquoise Thank you!
@Ziacat It’s a different style for me, but I like it and will probably do something similar in the future.
@nanc9354 the stone is held in by the bezel. No glue is involved.
I put a thin piece of leather under the stone, instead of sawdust. I learned this from my friend who is a jeweler from Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
@Ziacat I agree…I need a wide band on a heavy ring. Any top heavy ring will spin around on my fingers. It’s so annoying!
So when I make my own rings, I’ve learned to use a wider band.
Oh my gosh @Stracci…I’m so impressed! You’ve made so many beautiful rings and pendants; and wonderful stones!!! It’s been so interesting to see your process of creating and the finished product. You make it look easy, which I’m sure is not.
I’ve always been drawn toward Native American made and signed pieces (along with vintage pieces) and like to support NA art. But… after seeing your work I, like many on this site, would love to create my own. What you do makes it special and you do wonderful work…congrats😀.
@Bmpdvm
Thanks for your nice compliments!
I’ve had a passion for jewelry since I was 6 years old. More of an obsession, really. My mom has a large diverse jewelry collection with plenty of NA pieces. As a kid, I was certainly influenced by her.
When I moved to the Southwest, I was in the right place to learn this craft. A sweet lady from Zuni Pueblo gave me a crash course, and then I was on my own.
You’re right, it isn’t easy. I just work with hand tools and a basic plummer’s torch(!)
Some pieces turn out great and others maybe not so much, but I am my own worst critic.
If you are so inclined, I would encourage you to find an artisan who can sit with you and show you the basics. You could even teach yourself by watching YouTube videos. I still watch them myself, and I am always learning!
It is fun, fascinating and very rewarding!
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Fantastic…a great masculine piece. Not only unique but beautiful.
Last summer I bought these watch tips from a yard sale for $2.00.
Finally, I decided to do something with them.
They were way too heavy for earrings.
After ruminating for a long time, I came up with this pendant idea.
I trimmed them, then soldered them together. I added two loops to the back so I can run a chain through.
That’s pretty darn cool! You don’t need a Mitchell cuff, you make your own absolutely gorgeous stuff
Great recycling job @Stracci .
@Stracci What a unique idea! Your pendant came out terrific. You’re so creative.