Navajo Fox Turquoise Earrings FJE2100

At one time, the Fox Turquoise mine was Nevada’s largest producer of turquoise. This mine has been excavated since prehistoric times, but the first claim was filed in 1914. The mine is generally recognized as Fox Turquoise Mine but has also been called the Cortez Mine. Fox turquoise runs a range of rich forest greens to soft blue, but is generally recognized for its teal and green stones, found as veins and nuggets. The Fox mine continues to be a successful producing mine today.

Overlay jewelry is a traditional Navajo jewelry making technique. The artists design is cut and soldered onto another piece of metal that is the same size. The recessed areas are then oxidized, contrasting strongly with the high polish on the top layer of the design.

Blackened or oxidized Sterling Silver is sterling that has been darkened by a surface treatment process which does not change the properties of the Sterling Silver, but gives it the look of metal that has tarnished over time.