The Raylans- B

Loretta Delgarito

Loretta Delgarito is one of our most talented artists, and it’s a pleasure to collaborate with her. She began her jewelry-making journey in the 1970s at the young age of 14, learning the art of silversmithing from her cousin. After school, they would spend hours creating jewelry together, often until late at night. This early passion has blossomed into a lifelong dedication to her craft.

Now working from home, Loretta appreciates the flexibility it offers, allowing her to watch her grandchildren grow. Her son, Fernando, is also learning the art form, developing his skills and becoming a true artist in his own right.

Loretta has a special fondness for turquoise, as it reminds her of her grandmother. Her jewelry style combines traditional techniques with a contemporary twist. She explains that her cluster-style pieces symbolize family, with the center representing the grandparents and the surrounding stones representing their children and grandchildren.

In addition to her work, Loretta enjoys playing bingo with Fernando and spending time with her grandchildren. She has established herself as a top silversmith in Albuquerque, having worked with Felley Inc. until she returned to our area to care for her ailing mother. Since rejoining us in 2011, we have greatly enjoyed Loretta's fabulous designs and her creative spirit.

Sonoran Turquoise: Mexico

Sonoran turquoise, mined from the Campitos Mountain near Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. This region produces several distinctive types, including Sonoran Gold, known for its vibrant colors like aqua blue, lime, and two-tone blue and green with a golden-brown matrix; Sonoran Rose, a natural bright blue turquoise; and Sonoran Blue, valued for its hardness, shiny pyrite flakes, and black oxide veins.

Spiny Oyster:

Spiny Oyster is a vibrant shell material commonly found in orange, red, and purple hues, with rare yellow variations. The colors are influenced by the mollusks' diet and the water's depth and temperature. It can be distinguished from coral by the white variations in its shell. Predominantly sourced from the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Spiny Oyster is used extensively in Native American jewelry. Read More

Sleeping Beauty - Arizona

Sleeping Beauty turquoise, considered one of the most important turquoise mines in the world, is located in Globe, Arizona. The mine gets its name from the nearby mountain range, which is said to resemble a sleeping woman with her arms crossed when viewed from a distance. It is renowned for its unique color variations, ranging from a chalky robin’s egg blue to sky blue and deep blue. Read More