Handmade Turquoise, Silver, And More Jewelry

Turquoise is the classical Traditional Native Jewelry stone. Found throughout North America's Middle- and South-West it was always easily accessible to Native jewelers. Although Turquoise is mainly known for it's vibrant blue (e.g. "Sleeping Beauty","Kingman") it is also available and used in a wide spectrum of different color shades, from green (e.g. dark "Nevada Green turquoise", "Lime Green Turquoise") to the lightest pale blue ("Dry Creek Turquoise") and white ("White Buffalo Turquoise"). The color varies based on the amount of copper/minerals in the surrounding area of the vein. The natural brown-black matrix in some turquoise gives the jewelry stones a unique character. Each mine has different quality grades of turquoise: a) Stabilized turquoise is the least expensive turquoise available. 'Stabilized' means that the stone was hardened and treated with color. b) 'Medium grade' turquoise features natural color with natural hardness. This is what 'Traditional Hands' and Cherokee Silversmith General B. Grant uses mostly. c) 'Gem quality' turquoise is the highest available grade, often used by nationally acclaimed Native artists who are working with gold and platinum, producing investment art for collectors.

Other gemstones and shells are used in our Native jewelry: Lapis (=Lapislazuli), Opal, Black Onyx, Coral, Spiny Oyster, Wampum and much more. Traditional Hands Jewelry & Art Gallery offers traditional and contemporary Native designs from different Native tribes. All jewelry available at Traditional Hands is made with Sterling Silver (925).