Navajo Sterling Silver Kingman Turquoise Pendant - Albert Jake (#60)
$420.00
Artist: Albert Jake
Navajo Jewelry
1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
As one of the most recognizable names in American mining, Kingman turquoise is surely fit for royalty. This particular Kingman cabochon has such sky blue color and distinct matrix, that it jumps right out at you. Albert Jake knew to keep his silversmith work elegant when he set this piece of turquoise. He put a large bale on it to accommodate a wide variety of bead or chain accessories.
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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:
Silversmith Work
When and how the Navajo acquired the art of working metals is unknown but there are reasons for supposing that it was introduced among them, or at least more developed and improved upon by them, since the time they have occupied their present country?