The Selena
- Description
- Artist Information
- Stone Information
- Length at Shortest: 6 1/2"
- Length at Longest: 7 3/4"
- Width: 1 1/4"
- Hallmark: L.D.
- Sterling Silver
- Genuine White Buffalo
- Authentic, Native American Made
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.
White Buffalo:
White Buffalo is in fact NOT turquoise. Although White Buffalo is often sold as turquoise, it's classification is actually magnesite and alumite. Its unique coloring comes from the presence of Calcite mineral. The only mine known to be home to White Buffalo is The Dry Creek Mine in Tonopah, NV. It was first discovered by the Otteson family in 1993. The name derives from the Native American belief that white buffaloes are pure and rare like the white buffalo stone. The white stone is surrounded by black and brown flint-like chert which creates beautiful patterns, and sometimes in rare pieces, a spider-web matrix. The stone appears in veins, is as hard as turquoise (Mohs hardness scale of 5.5 to 7.5) and cuts and polishes like turquoise.
White Buffalo
When Can I Expect My Order to Ship?
We don't like to wait for our online orders & feel you shouldn't have to either. We ship Monday through Friday and strive to process orders within 24 hours. Most orders placed by 4:30 PM are shipped the same day. Please note that during peak seasons, like Christmas, shipping may take a bit longer. When you check out, you should see an estimated delivery date. If you have any questions or need to confirm shipping times, feel free to call or text us!
Am I Buying Authentic Native Jewelry?
We prioritize honesty and transparency regarding the origin of our jewelry. Each piece on our site includes a detailed description, and if an item is not native-made, we clearly indicate that. While we do offer a small selection of imported jewelry, we do not support the importation of pieces that replicate original native designs.
Styling Questions?
We’re here to assist you with all your styling needs! Whether you have questions about layering necklaces, selecting the perfect pieces, or finding complementary colors, we’ve got you covered.
While we provide a necklace length guide to help you make informed choices, we understand that layering can be tricky. If you need additional assistance, feel free to reach out! We’re happy to lay out different combinations and send photos to ensure you achieve the look you want. Trying to match multiple pieces? We strive to accurately represent colors in our images, but please keep in mind that screen settings can vary. If you would like additional photos or pieces photographed together for better comparison we are happy to do so.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help
The Selena
- Related products