Natural turquoise refers to stones that come directly from the mine without any alteration or enhancement beyond cutting and polishing. This type of turquoise retains its porous nature, which can lead to color changes over time due to exposure to environmental factors. Typically, natural turquoise is rated between 5 and 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, allowing it to achieve a beautiful, high shine when polished.

Stabilized turquoise is a type of turquoise that, while still valuable, is too porous to be directly cut into beads or cabochons right after mining. To enhance its durability, the stone is treated with an epoxy resin, which hardens the turquoise and helps maintain its color over time. This process allows for easier carving and crafting, making it suitable for items like Zuni fetishes and other jewelry pieces.

Turquoise & Co utilizes stabilized turquoise because it is more affordable and versatile, enabling the creation of a wide range of production items while still ensuring a beautiful finish. This approach allows them to offer high-quality turquoise products at accessible prices, appealing to both collectors and casual buyers.

Enhanced turquoise undergoes a treatment process where an electrical current is applied to a solution of water and copper, which hardens the stone without injecting any chemicals. This method retains the natural characteristics of the turquoise, making enhanced stones a close alternative to untreated natural turquoise. In fact, enhanced turquoise can often test as natural due to the absence of chemical alterations.

 

Reconstituted turquoise is made from low-grade turquoise that is crushed into dust and then bonded together using plastic resin. While it can mimic the appearance of natural turquoise, it will not test as natural due to the synthetic processes involved. According to industry standards, if a sample contains at least 80% turquoise, it can be labeled as "genuine turquoise," even though it is significantly different from untreated stones. Mojave purple turquoise is a popular example of reconstituted turquoise, known for its vibrant colors and unique appearance.

We rarely use reconstituted turquoise in our jewelry, and when we do, it is clearly labeled. Turquoise & Co is committed to transparency and honesty, ensuring that our customers are fully informed about the materials used in our products. This dedication to authenticity reflects our values and helps maintain trust with our collectors and enthusiasts.

Our commitment to transparency ensures that customers receive genuine turquoise that reflects its natural beauty.

Sterling silver is the most common metal alloy. Like gold, silver is soft and can be easily damaged. Sterling silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, typically copper. Jewelry made with sterling silver should be stamped with "925" or "Sterling" to indicate that it is authentic sterling silver.

You may find in vintage Native American sterling jewelry, is usually 80% silver, and 20% copper.

Also referred to as German silver, contains no actual silver. It is composed of 70% copper, 20% zinc, and 10% nickel. We utilize nickel silver in our concho belt line to keep costs down. All items made from nickel silver are clearly marked to ensure transparency.

Dineh, Diné

The Navajo people reside on approximately 27,000 square miles of reservation land in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, referring to themselves as Dineh or Diné, which means "The People" in their native language.

The Navajo Nation features a variety of ancient ruins, including the famous Navajo National Monument and the tranquil Chaco Culture National Historical Park. These sites offer a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Anasazi people, the ancestors of the Navajo, who lived thousands of years ago

The Navajo are also well-known for their exceptional craftsmanship in jewelry, art, weaving, sandpaintings, and pottery. Their artisans continue to enhance the world with their unique traditional and contemporary creations.

In the Hopi language, the word "Hopi" means "peaceful" or "civilized person."

Acoma pottery is highly sought after around the world. While it was originally functional—used for storing water, cooking, and seeds—today's Acoma artists continue to honor traditional styles while also creating stunning contemporary pieces.

As skilled artisans, the Hopi are the oldest living inhabitants of Arizona, having preserved their way of life through the centuries. The jewelry, pottery, rugs, Kachinas, and other artworks created by the Hopi people often reflect their traditional beliefs and practices, blending modern techniques with ancient traditions.

Hopi jewelry is notably distinct from other styles, frequently showcasing intricate overlay techniques that gained prominence in the 1930s and 1940s. The themes and designs often draw from traditional belief systems, with Kachinas representing beings and elements of nature for the Hopi, appearing in both jewelry and sculptures.

Located between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, near the ancient Cerrillos turquoise mine, the Kewa Pueblo (formerly known as Santo Domingo) is one of the Northern Pueblos renowned for its heishe bead necklaces made from shell and turquoise. The Pueblo artists are also celebrated for their intricate and beautiful pottery, as well as their rich traditions in silversmithing.

The largest of the New Mexico Pueblos, Zuni Pueblo is located in western New Mexico along the Zuni River, a tributary of the Little Colorado River. It is also one of the most traditional Pueblos in the state. The Zuni people are renowned for their artistry, particularly their exceptional lapidary skills, which are showcased in fetishes, channel and mosaic inlay jewelry, and row or cluster work known as petit point or needlepoint stone setting, where numerous small stones are set very closely together. Most inhabitants of the Pueblo are artisans, and the jewelry, pottery, and carvings produced by this community are truly unmatched.