This sterling silver ring holds a gorgeous piece of turquoise from the Dry Creek mine. Dry Creek is prized for its super light blue and green hues. This stone resembles a crystal clear ocean. A delicate sterling silver rope border hugs the bright, natural stone and is set in a hand stamped bezel.
Turquoise is a stone of protection and symbolizes friendship. This ring is a finely made example of Dené (Navajo) craftsmanship.
More about Dry Creek turquoise:
"The Dry Creek mine is a small mine located in Lander County outside of Austin, NV. Sometimes referred to as Sacred Buffalo turquoise, the Dry Creek turquoise mine was discovered in the early 1990s by the Shoshone Indian tribe. When it was discovered, cutters were unsure that it was actually turquoise due to its unique color, but later lab testing by the current owners in 1999 confirmed it was indeed turquoise.
Turquoise gets its color from the presence of heavy metals, particularly aluminum and copper. When there is more copper, blue turquoise will usually be produced as is the case in most Arizona turquoises. When there is more aluminum, green turquoise will be produced as in many of the Nevada turquoises. Dry Creek turquoise forms in any area with low concentrations of both metals. This very rare situation results in the very pale blue color found in Dry Creek turquoise. Most pale blue turquoise is chalky and too soft to cut without stabilization. Dry Creek turquoise is naturally hard and takes a nice polish, so no treatment is needed. No other vein of this material has been discovered anywhere in the world."
Dry Creek is a rare turquoise stone. Most of what's on the market today was mined in the 1990's.
size 8
Marked NJ Sterling silver
