Sonoran Gold Turquoise Earrings FJE2291

RAINDROPS are seen frequently throughout Native American jewelry. Sterling silver drops or "raindrops" are a traditional design element. They can be smooth and highly polished or they can be starlike and oxidized.

TWISTED WIRE metalworking is a very old technique used by many Southwestern tribes. It can be found in both vintage and modern pieces.

SONORAN BEAUTY TURQUOISE hails from Mexico and is a gorgeous blue turquoise. Sonoran Beauty is a "stabilized turquoise". Stabilization is the process of hardening a stone that is considered "too soft" to work with. It requires that the stone is exposed to high temperatures and then left to dry. This removes excess moisture from the stone and allows for a hardening agent to be added.