Stennich Turquoise

August “Gus” Stenich was an elderly Austrian emigrant who owned a gold mine along with several significant turquoise claims, including his namesake, Stenich. Gus quickly developed a reputation as an ornery and suspicious character, figuring this type of reputation would help protect his claims from the many turquoise scavengers and cheats who would steal turquoise and gold from his claims when he was in town buying supplies. The Stenich mine and all of Gus’s claims were willed to J.W. Edgar upon Stenich’s death. It is said that his last will and its details were written out on an old bread wrapper paper that was found with Gus’s body at his Stenich campsite.

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. 

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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 

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