STAMP WORK Navajo silversmiths are renowned for their intricate, detailed stamp work, a style developed over many generations. Stamping is done by hand, and the stamps themselves are oftentimes unique to the artist or are handed down from generations of silversmiths.
CARICO LAKE TURQUOISE A staple addition to your Southwest fashion collection, Carico Lake Turquoise is also a collectible North American Turquoise with an astonishing color palette. Ranging from highly unique electric greens to sky blue; from teal to mossy, earthy greens. And rarely, a nugget with both earth and sky color. The highest grade Carico Lake Turquoise is gem-quality American turquoise. Originally known as Stone Cabin, and then Aurora #8, Carico Lake Turquoise has a colorful history for a dried-up lake bed in a remote part of Lander County. The mine has come to rest with the owner of Sunwest Silver Company, Ernest Montoya.
CAMPITOS TURQUOISE is derived from the Spanish word "campo" meaning "field" or "countryside". Mined in Mexico from the Pino Chueco and Cananea mines in Sonora, Campitos is a favorite for jewelry artisans. Campitos is unique in several ways. It grows in clay as free-form nuggets, rather than in veins typical of many North American turquoises. Its color resembles Sleeping Beauty Turquoise's color and ranges from light to medium blue with no matrix. Occasionally you may find pyrite inclusions, which give it a little bit of sparkle.
SPINY OYSTER SHELL Spiny Oyster Shell is often inlaid or used as cabochons in Southwest style jewelry. The color combination of Spiny Oyster and turquoise is as old as the human love for adornment. Coming all the way from the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, Spiny Oyster Shell is most commonly seen in orange, red and purple. The more strident the color, the more expensive the shell is. Red and purple shells are found a much greater depth than the brilliant oranges and are rare and more expensive.
