Traditional Santo Domingo Damele Turquoise Bead Necklace - Ray Lovato (#42)

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...After much discussion about what the grandkids needed and how rare the piece is, we made the deal. Afterwards we were both happy. Ray is always a pleasure, and always has great, museum quality, necklaces.

Damele Turquoise:
Damele turquoise jewelry has become highly collectible mainly due to the character and interest found in this wonderfully distinctive turquoise which is very hard, and visually appealing. Damele turquoise  forms in veins and occasionally as nuggets in carbonaceous chert and also diatomaceous earth.  Stones from this mine range in color from pure lime-green through bright chartreuse; yellow with black webbing; white; orange and brown; a caramel color turquoise with bright green polka dots, and small black nuggets with bright yellow-green bumps poking out of the black matrix. Typically the turquoise contains black, brown, or tan matrix but Damele turquoise itself is not typical by any standard.

A small, tightly run operation, the Damele mine is located thirty miles east of Austin, Nevada. The mine is located on The Dry Creek Ranch owned by the Damele family. There, they raise unique horses that carry the Damele name. Benny Damele discovered the mine sometime around 1973. Soon thereafter, Clyde Wright became involved in mining the claim and worked it for approximately eighteen years. Tony Cotner, an excellent miner, merchandiser and truly colorful character, has owned the claim since 1990 when he bought it from Benny Damele. Mr. Cotner, also known as"Mean Green", states there is an ancient subtropical zone located beneath the mine that may be responsible for the unusual colors associated with Damele turquoise although he is unsure whether the organic environment has anything to do with the coloration.

Since Damele turquoise is mined by a character and handled by characters at Twin Rocks Trading Post, it is only natural that we prefer stones chockful of character as well.  The next time you are traveling down U.S. Highway 191 in southern Utah, make sure you stop in and visit our cast of characters.  We believe you will greatly enjoy the experience.  

About the artist:

The gift of humor is a blessing to those who have it, and to those of us exposed to the comic. From an early age, Steve and I have been blessed with the humor of Santa Domingo artist Ray Lovato. Not only does Ray create exceptional jewelry, he does it with wit and comedy. He always has an aura of happiness around him, and this attitude seems to spread, like a California fog, to those who know him. In addition to his artistic talents, Ray is also a gifted salesman. When he pulls up in front of the trading post we know that there is a good possibility that we will soon be parting company with our available cash.

See full biography | See all items by Ray Lovato

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Certificate of Authenticity

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