Santo Domingo Tiny Handmade Gem Grade Villa Grove Turquoise Bead Necklace - Ray Lovato (#134)
$6,250.00
Artist: Ray Lovato
Total length: 32 1/2"
High grade, natural Villa Grove turquoise is one of the most rare and sought after turquoise on the market today. George Musik mined the turquoise in this Ray Lovato necklace; sometime in the span of time he owned and operated the mine. When Randy Christenson purchased the Villa Grove mine, from George, he acquired the rough turquoise as well. We bought the stone from Randy and passed it on to Santa Domingo lapidary artist Ray Lovato, who cut these magnificent beads. If that is not a joyful trail of events we do not know what is.
Villa Grove Turquoise
The Villa Grove Turquoise Mine, aka; The Hall Mine, is located seven miles northwest of the town of Villa Grove, in the North end of the San Luis Valley of Colorado, at 10,000 feet in elevation. The Villa Grove turquoise mine showed signs of being worked by the Ancient Native American's. It was rediscovered sometime in the 1890’s and mined for copper with turquoise operations beginning in the early 1900’s. The Villa Grove mine was first mentioned in 1893. The largest dig site in the area is difficult to mine because it fills with water from a nearby spring. The mines largest production occurred during the 1930s through the 1950s when Bob Hall, Menalis Winfield, George Musik and others owned it. Randy Christenson purchased the Mine from George Musik in 2000. Randy is producing small amounts of Villa Grove turquoise at this time.
About the artist:
The gift of humor is a blessing to those who have it, and to those of us exposed to the comic. From an early age, Steve and I have been blessed with the humor of Santa Domingo artist Ray Lovato. Not only does Ray create exceptional jewelry, he does it with wit and comedy. He always has an aura of happiness around him, and this attitude seems to spread, like a California fog, to those who know him. In addition to his artistic talents, Ray is also a gifted salesman. When he pulls up in front of the trading post we know that there is a good possibility that we will soon be parting company with our available cash.
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