Natural Carico Lake & Sterling Silver Bolo Tie - Allison Snowhawk Lee (#120)

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The  Carico Lake turquoise mine is located in Lander County, Nevada, in the Carico Lake region.  Carico Lake is a rather large, active mining district encompassing several claims that produce a wide variety and quality of graded blue and green turquoise; some with golden limonite matrix.  Carico Lake turquoise is also found with a dark blue-green color laced with a black or brown spider web matrix.  In addition to turquoise, mines in this district are known to produce faustite, a bright, Granny Smith, apple-green mineral first identified in 1953.  Faustite is similar to turquoise except that it contains zinc rather than copper.


The Carico Lake mine has produced rare psuedomorph clams.  These beautiful "fossilized" turquoise clams are found in the dried lake bed.  The clams are believed to have been dissolved, leaving cavities that were filled with turquoise and faustite deposits.

Originally discovered in 1911, turquoise from the Carico Lake district has been marketed under several different names, including Aurora and Stone Cabin.  These claims have been mined by noted Nevada prospectors such as August Stenich and later by J.W. Edgar.  The mine is now owned and closely managed  by Ernie Montoya.  Mr. Montoya has invested heavily in Carico Lake turquoise, re-establishing the mine as one of the larger producers in Nevada.   Working over 100 claims, Mr. Montoya has produced a fair amount of  turquoise.  High-grade  turquoise  is, however, still fairly uncommon.  The unique range and variety of colors and scarcity of natural, gem grade Carico Lake turquoise make it a valuable addition to any collection.

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:

Navajo Bolo Ties See all items in this category
Carico Lake Turquoise Jewelry 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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