- Sterling Silver
- Size: 6.5, setting length 1.25”
- Stone: Kingman Turquoise
- Hallmark: Ca’win
Turquoise is one of the most historic gemstones in the world. Just like diamonds, they are valued in different grades, hardness, clarity, origin, and whether they are light, dark or framed with matrix from the host rock. Natural turquoise is a hydrous phosphate formed through a chemical reaction from minerals that leak into the cracks of the rocks and turn into a clump of turquoise. Different minerals make up different colors of turquoise. The copper is what gives turquoise a blue color and the green is associated with the iron content. If the turquoise contains the mineral zinc, it becomes a yellowish color. Collectors are finding the turquoise mined in the Southwest to be the most valued in the world. Turquoise relates to good luck like a rabbit’s foot and has become a person or tribe’s symbol of origin, happiness, power, safety, or wealth.
Jimmy “Cawin” Calabaza- Santo Domingo Pueblo
Multiple award winning artist, Jimmy was born in 1949 on the reservation. After he married and had children he was laid off from his job so his mother gave him a bucket of turquoise and told him to use his imagination and make jewelry. The rest is history. Jimmy is one of our top artist in the store. He won his first award shortly after in 1984. Jimmy typically makes large traditional pieces but is also a master inlayer. “Ca’win” means freedom in his native tongue. He considers himself a farmer 1st and a jeweler 2nd. Jimmy is pretty quiet until you get to know him but his wife Olivia is very outgoing. You will find him listed in most Native American books and his work will only be found in upper-end galleries.
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