Handmade Paiute Turquoise Navajo Necklace & Earrings Set - Allison Snowhawk Lee (#072)

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The Paiute turquoise mine consists of a series of nine full claims that run along the southern and western portion of a rock-strewn and sage brush encrusted central Nevada hillside.  Down the southern slope and to the southwest about a half mile, nestled in a small valley dotted with juniper trees, is the Damele mine.

Paiute turquoise forms in veins and occasionally as nuggets in carbonaceous chert and diatomaceous earth. Since it is relatively new to the market, Paiute is a less well known stone. Because of the high quality turquoise the mine produces, however, it will certainly become a strong contender in the contemporary market. Paiute turquoise ranges in color from powder blue with yellow matrix to an intense, electric blue with fine black spider-web matrix. Unique pastel blue turquoise with white polka dots and blue-greens with dark matrix patterns are also found. Paiute turquoise is rare and strikingly beautiful; it has one of the most wide ranging color palates and matrix variables of any known turquoise.

A small, tightly run operation, the Paiute mine is located near Austin, Nevada.  Clyde Wright initially staked the Paiute claim in 1975. Wright lightly worked the mine for a few years, but had turquoise claims all over the Nevada countryside and seems to have been spread very thin. Tony Cotner, an excellent miner, merchandiser and truly colorful character has owned the claims since 1992, when he bought them from Clyde's estate. Mr. Cotner, is also known as"Mean Green".

About the artist:

Allison Lee - Navajo Silversmith:
Speaking of the silver and gold jewelry he hand crafts, Allison Lee's captivating voice is sincere when he says, "One time my uncle told me that everything we build comes from the earth, like the silver that comes from the earth, or the turquoise that comes from the earth. That is a lot of energy. You put it together and you put your heart and mind into a piece. Then sometimes a certain piece of jewelry- I believe- it is made for a certain person. I usually have a ring, or something, that stays with me for about two or three years, until the right person comes along. And then that person buys that piece. I believe that every piece of jewelry that I make is made for somebody out there- it's made for somebody special. Whoever might be having problems, or something like that. In essence, that energy helps that person get help, by wearing pieces that we make. That is the way I look at it. See full biography | See all items by Allison Snowhawk Lee

Related categories:

Allison Snowhawk Lee Necklaces See all items in this category
Navajo Turquoise Necklaces See all items in this category

Related legends:

Silversmithing
When and how the Navaho acquired the art of working metals is unknown but there are reasons for supposing that it was introduced among them, or at least more developed and improved upon by them, since the time they have occupied their present country? More about this legend

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