Navajo Natural Gem Grade Kingman Turquoise Necklace - Albert Jake (#59)
$2,250.00
Artist: Albert Jake
Navajo Jewelry
Necklace: 20"
Pendant: 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"
The Navajo believe turquoise was a gift of the gods, pieces of the sky dropped from above by a benevolent hand. Albert Jake discovered two of the more magnificent pieces of skystone and placed them in a setting befitting such treasures. We recognize these fabulous cabochons of high grade, natural turquoise as having come from Kingman, AZ, but who's to say for certain whether they came from heaven or earth. Albert Jake is considered a master silversmith and this pendant, best expresses, just exactly why.
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Kingman Turquoise
Kingman Turquoise comes from a large open-pit copper mine in the Mineral Park Mining District, northwest of Kingman, Arizona and was one of the largest turquoise mines in this country. The area lies in high desert country at an elevation of 3,345 feet and is surrounded by three mountain ranges. The mining district around Kingman, Arizona has always been a large producer of turquoise, at one time the world's largest. First mined by Indians, this area was home to the most extensive prehistoric workings found in Arizona.
The modern production of turquoise dates back to the early 1880’s when James Haas rediscovered these ancient Kingman area mines. Much of the turquoise occurred as seams, masses and veins. The color of natural Kingman turquoise can range from light blue to very dark blue and sometimes tints of green. The matrix is from white, light brown to black and frequently flecked with pyrite and times quartz. The mine became famous for its rounded, bright blue nuggets with black matrix. Few turquoise mines produced nuggets, especially of this quality. In its high-grade form it has always been considered among the top quality American turquoise. With so many thousands of pounds of good quality turquoise produced in the Kingman area over the last one hundred years it is hard to believe that today very little high-grade Kingman turquoise is available.
Other names for Kingman turquoise: Ithaca Peak, The Wall, Tiffany, Courtland, Az., Gleeson
Most desirable: Deep Blue with molybdenum pyrite; Real blue with pyrite; Bird's eye; Water Web; Nuggets
About the artist:
Since 1959, Albert Jake has made his home in the beautiful country located about forty miles south of Gallup, New Mexico. He was born at Zuni Pueblo and has resided in the village of Ramah for many years. Albert’s parent taught him the many steps to fine Navajo silverwork which includes both cluster jewelry as well as beautiful stones in classic Navajo settings.
Related legends:
Precious Stones
Turquoise; Precious stones have symbolic implications. For example, turquoise if a "collective term for all the precious stones, wealth, or mixed offerings. Good fortune is attributed to this stone." Both white shell and turquoise are emphasized in Kinaalda? More about this legend