About this Product
A beautiful squash blossum style necklace made using Navajo pearls from New Mexico, Morenci turquoise, and coral. This also features a removable centerpiece that makes the necklace a bit lighter and less formal. Earrings are made in the same style as the rest of the necklace. Morenci turquoise has not been mined actively since 1980s but is still sometimes available from old collections such as this was.
Cherokee Hills Artisan
Meet the Maker
This started over 20 years ago when my eldest son met "THE girl". He could not afford much at the time and she liked some old silver rings I had collected so one was selected. "Can you get this sized for me, Dad? and maybe change the stones to a darker amethyst? and add a red one?" I did what any Dad would do when I could not find anyone that would work on it. Taught myself. 20 manhours later it was delivered. She said yes and is still a wonderful Daughter in law. But that was the start- classes taken...increasingly advanced...5 years as an instructor...now I am retired from the real world of engineering and I get to create and teach in my own 1800 ft shop. I use old school techniques from a century ago. No computer aided machines...that would take the fun out of it.
How it’s Made
This piece was made over the course of two weeks. I have made several in recent years and they all require at least 2 weeks of time to make all the pieces and cut and polish the stone. First the turquoise is cut and polished and the pieces to be used are selected. I usually cut 4 or 5 more pieces than needed to ensure a good selection. This turquoise came from a purchase of rough stone made 4 years ago in Denver. Morenci is not actively mined now but sometimes becomes available from old collections as this did. The settings were then made one by one and strung with the Navajo pearls purchased from a source in New Mexico. The Naja or centerpiece is then made and fitted to the necklace. My wife then wears it for several hours to ensure that there are no problems with the assembly. In this case she wore it to Paris, France to visit my daughter and found it an easy piece to wear.
Shop Policies
Processing time: generally within a couple of days to a week after order payment is received.
Returns: not accepted without prior approval. Limited to 1 week after receipt unless agreed otherwise and only for defects or damage.
All items are hand made by me in my shop unless stated otherwise.
