Sterling silver cross with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Necklace is 20" with a 3-1/8" long sterling silver cross, with the bale it
measures 3-1/2" long. The cross is handcrafted sterling silver with a Sleeping
Beauty turquoise nugget in the center of the cross. It is marked GG, .925 on the
back and has been made by Gertie Ganadonegro, a Navajo silversmith. All findings
are sterling silver.
This necklace is handmade of 6-8 mm enhanced Sleeping Beauty Turquoise beads
from the Arizona Sleeping Beauty Mine, .925 sterling silver cross pendant with a
Sleeping Beauty turquoise gemstone in the center and incorporated into this
necklace that has been designed by Beverley Burklow of Southwest Affinity. The
sterling silver cross pendant is marked on the back with the Navajo silversmiths
hallmark.
This necklace can also be custom made for you in varying lengths to your
specifications. The Sleeping Beauty beads strands will depend on the number of
strands that you wish. It can be made with one strand or 10, the choice is
yours. Price is based on the length of the necklace, number of strands,
availability of turquoise and other requested gemstones, and the number of
strands you require. We only have a limited number of these crosses so order
today. For a price quote contact us and Beverley Burklow, the designer, will
contact you for additional information and will quote you a price based on your
design request.
Natural Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine
A unique and vibrant blue, it comes from the slumbering Sleeping Beauty
Mountain in Arizona where we found a deposit that lives up to the quality and
expectations of Daniel Smith pigment. Lightfast and permanent, with none of the
transient color fade that plagues most turquiose, this is truly an extraordinary
color.
From Egyptian queens to Pueblo artisans, turquoise has inspired legends and
colored history. The Zuni thought it protected them from demons, while the
Navajo believed it was an actual piece of the sky that had fallen to the earth.
Many cultures thought an amulet wore on a horse's bridle protected the horse and
rider from a fall. The legends are many. The magic is yours to own.
As a mineral, turquoise has a unique molecular structure. Its porous nature
encourages interaction with other pigments and produces granular washes like no
other paint. From the very first test, artists feel its powers. Juicy washes
flow easily from the brush, while drybrush work has the intense texture found
only in a mineral pigment. Washed alongside a warm, staining pigment, it is
almost three-dimensional. While traditional mineral pigments can have a soft,
muted feel, the unique properties of Daniel Smith Natural Sleeping Beauty
Turquoise Genuine give it true brilliance. It's like capturing pieces of the sky
right on your paper.
There are many grades of turquoise on the market. Our grade, the highest grade,
is found closest to the earth's surface, where environmental factors have
enhanced the structure to gemstone quality and deepened the tonal richness to a
remarkable blue. Daniel Smith uses only this finest gem grade to produce Natural
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine. The result is enchanting.
Historic references of Turquoise date back as far as Egypt's first dynasty,
while implied references can be found in biblical passages as well as in the
teachings of Aristotle. Prehistoric nations left evidence that Turquoise was
mined and traded extensively. Turquoise from the American Southwest has been
unearthed in Aztec ruins. Across the world, Persian turquoise used as trading
currency has appeared in ancient burial sites hundreds of miles away.
The mystic beauty of turquoise has been felt by every culture and its use has
crossed national and cultural boundaries. Paint with Daniel Smith Natural
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine and catch a piece of its rich and colorful
history for yourself. Prepare to be captivated.
Beauty Enhanced Sleeping Turquoise Enhancements
Turquoise is a gemstone material that is commonly enhanced to improve
appearance and durability. When in doubt, you should assume that a given piece
of turquoise has been treated and/or altered in some manner. The typical methods
of treatment are:
* Backed Turquoise: Natural stone backed by epoxy, or plastic resin
bonding agent.
* Block Turquoise: Simulant made of ceramic, plastic or other
'non-turquoise' material.
* Dyed (Chalk) Turquoise: Treated with chemical dyes to improve or even
out color.
* Natural Processed Turquoise: Treated with natural chemicals then soaked
in water.
* Enhanced Turquoise: Treated with chemicals, then heated to enhance
durability.
* Reconstituted (Oriental) Turquoise: Pulverized, mixed with binders,
pressed into solid.
* Stabilized Turquoise: Treated with epoxy or acrylic resin to bond the
material.
* Waxing: Treated with paraffin wax to improve surface luster.
* Zachary Process: Treated with chemicals, then heated to enhance color
and strength.
Turquoise that has been treated with the 'Zachary Process' is difficult to
differentiate from untreated material. The process is designed to strengthen the
material, then heat it to dissipate any traces of residual chemicals used in the
treatment. Natural material can also be strengthened by impregnating it with
vaporized quartz.
The up-side of 'Enhanced' or 'Natural Processed' turquoise is that the color
remains stable over time as opposed to natural, untreated turquoise which can
oxidize, turning green over a long period of time. Natural stone is porous,
which can be detected under a loupe, as opposed to enhanced material which will
be totally smooth.
We search the world over for the Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Turquoise is found in or near copper deposits and it depends on the presence
of copper ions for its formation. The blue color is enhanced when lots of copper
is present. The green color of some turquoise is caused by iron, aluminum and
chromium. When zinc is present the deposits are yellowish or yellow-green in
color, a rare combination that so far has been found in only a few areas.
Most of the turquoise in this site comes from the Sleeping Beauty mine, located
near Globe, Arizona. This mine produces a light blue color stone of solid color
with no matrix. This mine is one of the larges in North America and its
turquoise is one of the most favorite among collectors.
Turquoise Care:
- The most common dangers to turquoise are scratches, sharp blows, hot
water, and household chemicals.
- Also, perfumes and other cosmetics will attack the finish and may alter
the color of turquoise gems, as will skin oils. Therefore, cosmetics,
including sunscreen and hairspray, should be applied before putting on
turquoise jewelry.
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may also discolor or dehydrate
turquoise. Turquoise jewelry should not be worn to a beach.
- After use, turquoise should be gently cleaned with a soft cloth to avoid
a build up of residue, and should be stored in its own box to avoid
scratching by harder gems.
- The pores of the stone will easily absorb body oils or other oils
causing the stone to yellow over time. If a turquoise jewelry piece was worn
against the skin clean it in water with a squirt of dishwashing detergent
for a minute then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
- Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on turquoises and avoid chlorine.
- Also realize that all turquoise is susceptible to aging and may turn a
greenish or possibly darker with age.
Beauty Enhanced Sleeping Turquoise: Everyone LOVES Turquoise!
Probably one of the most recognized semiprecious gemstones in existence,
turquoise has been popular since prehistoric times. This stone is a hydrated
aluminum copper phosphate that often contains iron. Its name comes from French
pierre turquoise, meaning "Turkish stone," a reference to where Persian material
passed on its way to Europe. It is considerably softer than quartz and thus is
usually treated in some way for stability. It occurs naturally in shades ranging
from sky blue to grey-green, usually in locations where copper is hidden in the
soil in high concentrations. The blue color is caused by copper, while the green
color is caused by iron or chromium. Many qualities and types of "turquoise" are
available on the market today.
High-grade natural turquoise is the hardest grade and takes the best polish.
Many mines produce stones with distinctive color or matrix whose origin can be
identified by an experienced person.
Enhanced turquoise is the common name for medium-grade turquoise treated by a
proprietary process that impregnates and hardens the stone with vaporized
quartz. The process will not work on low-grade "chalk" turquoise and is
undetectable by normal testing methods. (For details, please see the Spring 1999
issue of Gems & Gemology.)
Stabilized or treated turquoise is treated with a plastic resin. Most nugget and
some heishi products are made from real turquoise that has been stabilized.
Stabilization allows genuine but lower-grade turquoise to be used in jewelry.
Even when a stone has been stabilized, its color can be changed over time by
pollution, soap, skin lotion and oil.
Wax-treated turquoise: Much of the turquoise from China is wax impregnated. The
process works like stabilization. The paraffin treatment only affects the
surface.
Reconstituted turquoise: This term describes small pieces of stone mixed with
blue dye and plastic binder. Most products marketed under this name should
really be labeled as "simulated block."
Block turquoise: A mixture of plastic resin and dyes that is produced in
loaf-size blocks. This turquoise contains no actual rock of any sort. Block is
used heavily for inlay, heishi and beads. It is sometimes mistakenly called
"reconstituted."
Imitation and simulated turquoise: Several stones can be dyed to look like
turquoise, including howlite, magnesite and dolomite. Glass, plastic, faience
ceramic and polymer clay also can look like turquoise.
Turquoise has been mined for eons, since at least 6000 B.C. Early Egyptians wore
the stone, and many turquoise pieces have been found in their tombs. The ancient
Aztecs in Northern Peru used to decorate their ceremonial masks with this stone,
which they considered holy. Persian philosopher Al Kazwini wrote that "the hand
wearing a turquoise and using it as a sealing stone will never be poor."
Turquoises were used to decorate turbans, often set in a border of pearls, to
protect the wearer from the evil eye. The gemstone did not reach Europe until
the Crusades.
Turquoise is considered a stone of wholeness, promoting the sense of unity of
the self and oneness with all that surrounds us. It is said to make one feel at
home in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Turquoise is said to open all
chakras, permitting the attributes of love, completeness and communication to
flow through the body and increasing spiritual bonding. It is especially
connected to the fifth (throat) chakra and is believed to assist in opening the
fourth (heart) chakra. It also is believed to assist the absorption of nutrients
while strengthening the immune system and stimulating tissue regeneration.
Crystal healers recommend it for detoxification of alcohol, poisons or
radiation. Turquoise is mined in the U.S.A. (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico),
China, Peru, Mexico, Persia (Iran), Tibet, Siberia, Africa, Australia and
Europe.
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