Koshare Kachina Mask Bisbee Turquoise Necklace - John Huntress/Sebastian Ciprio/Bruce Eckhardt

A tri-artist creation by Anglo artists Bruce Eckhardt and John Huntress, along with Navajo artist, Sebastian Ciprio. John Huntress hand-fashioned each individual bead from world reknowned natural Bisbee turquoise, while Sebastian Ciprio carved the center pendant from matching stone. The coral end pieces and 14 carat gold clasps were fashioned by Bruce Eckhardt. The striking blue color of natural Bisbee turquoise along with its accenting chocolate matrix provide an aesthetically pleasing combination of color effect.

The necklace measures 15 1/2" in length; the coral end caps graduate from 3/16" to 1/4" by 1/2" in length. The turquoise beads in the necklace measure 3 /32" and graduate up to 3/16". Sebastian's carefully crafted Koshare kachina mask pendant measures 7/8" long by 5/8" wide by 1/4" high. The subtle yet distinctive beauty of this piece is enhanced by the natural lustrous feel of its gem quality turquoise.

Bisbee turquoise is considered one of the classics. The most recognized variety is a dark lavender blue color with a deep chocolate brown to black matrix. As with all turquoise, there is a wide variety of quality from the Bisbee mine; color and matrix patterns vary a great deal. Some of the most distinctively recognizable Indian jewelry has been set and photographed containing classic Bisbee turquoise. The most productive period of the Bisbee turquoise mine was the 1950's and 1960's. Anything coming from the mine these days is scavenged from the old dumps. The mine has been closed since the early 1970's and is currently owned by Phelps Dodge Corp. Bisbee Mine. Arizona, Cochise County. Turquoise is found in the open pit copper mine. (The Lavender Pit) Some very fine quality, hard turquoise is found here with good color and beautiful dark-colored matrix. It is found as stringers up to a few inches wide; small nugget-like masses in granite and quartzite; and minute stringers in massive pyrite.