Sleeping Beauty Squash Blossom Necklace | Sterling Silver | Vintage c.1970’s Burton’s Gems and Opals Outlet Stores

A Bit About The Piece:

Handmade silver Navajo squash blossom necklace set with Sleeping Beauty turquoise.

Details, details…

The Stones: Turquoise

• 18 oval cabochon cuts
• origin: Sleeping Beauty Mine, Arizona
• natural color
• stabilized
• color description: light blue with greyish brown matrix

The Necklace: Handmade Bezel Set Squash Blossom Necklace

• .925 sterling silver, solid
• handmade silver “Navajo pearl” beads
  
• chain length: 24 inches
• average bead millimeter: 8mm, not including ridge
• approximate centerpiece measurements: 3.5″ x 3″
• necklace weight: 237.98 grams
• circa 1970’s

NOTE: Since photographing this piece, the silver has been cleaned.  With enough time, it will return to its original patina.  If you are interested in seeing photos of the silver’s current stage of the oxidation process, please feel free to reach out any time!

About Turquoise:

What once was regarded a common byproduct of copper mining is now realized to be a rather scarce gem.  Typically found in or near copper mines around the world, turquoise from each locality differs in color, quality, character, and rarity.  Certain mines are known for producing highly valuable material in very limited quantity.  Inclusions of other copper-bearing minerals such as azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla are not uncommon.

  Turquoise ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness.  Because this is often not suitable for everyday wear, most turquoise on the market is hardened (or “stabilized”) with electricity and/or polymer.  Stabilization is viewed as an accepted, regular practice in the lapidary industry and is not to be confused with “dying” material.  Dyed (or artificially colored) material is not viewed as favorably among dealers and collectors.  It is very important to be careful when cleaning your turquoise jewelry.  Turquoise is a porous stone that can absorb any harsh chemical used.  Avoid putting your turquoise jewelry in chemical jewelry cleaners, and be sure to focus only on cleaning the metal around your stone.