Turquoise

[puerco-bellies]

This is a tiny sample of the turquoise I have collected in the last 6 months. I took some pictures of my stock for my website today. After returning from vacation I will start posting pictures of the jewelry I am making. I have decided to specialize in tuffa castings of traditional Apache themes.

[idgiehkt]

1. those are so beautiful

I like the egg shaped ones in the very front and center, with the gold markings on them. When you say "collected", did you mean like found it buried in the ground? Wow.

[puerco-bellies]

2. The ones you like are Ithica Peak and Royston

Ithica Peak is part of the Kingman mining complex of Arizona, and Royston is a Nevadan turquoise. The smaller one with the silver looking pyrite is the Ithica Peak, and the slightly larger one on it's right is the Royston.

I have been buying both finished cabochons, and rough turquoise. There is a mine here in California that will allow you to collect turquoise for a fee. I plan on trying my hand at mining it next winter when the weather is more bearable.

[idgiehkt]

3. there are emerald mines around here

I keep saying I am going to go try it as well. Thanks for posting that pic, (I saved it) and for the info. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear puerco-bellies!

Wow, these are wonderful pieces!

You know, I love wearing that wagon wheel turquoise pin you sold me........

I just know that whatever you craft these into, they will be wonderful!

Thanks for sharing them with us tonight, sweetie...

:hug:

[puerco-bellies]

5. Hi Miss C-P

I have been thinking about that for the last few months. I should have given you a better discount that time you visited me at the Antique Fair. Would you consider wearing a turquoise/silver tuffa cast snake pendant? I am into casting them right now. Partially because of the degree of difficulty in getting the silver to "snake" it's way through the mold, partially because snakes appear in many Apache medicine drawings, and of course because I think snakes are cool. I wish to make a gift for you, and if snakes aren't your thing I can let you know when I am making deer and horse stuff August and September. I will try to post a picture of it before I go on vacation.
Best wishes,
P-B

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear puerco-bellies!

You don't need to do that for me....

But if you'd like to, of course I'd wear it!

I'm not that crazy about snakes...so a pic would be a great idea!

Deer and horses are very cool...

Thank you...:hug:

[puerco-bellies]

9. I will finish it up tomorrow.

I have poured a number of snakes, and one deer-spirit pieces, but have not set turquoise on the last one I did. I will work on that tomorrow morning and post it in the afternoon. If it does not agree with you by all means wait for late summer when I will be making deer and horse pieces. Jewelry must speak to you, otherwise it is for someone else. If it is a possible match we can meet for a moment at the Tommy Boy's joint across from Trader Joe's. Either way I would be honored if you like one of my creations enough to wear.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. That would work!

I'm always honored to wear your work........

And I know exactly where Tommy Boy's is...

I'll try to be around tomorrow afternoon, so I can see your post.......

Thank you... :hug:

[Flaxbee]

6. beautiful pieces! I'm really looking forward to seeing

your jewelry when you get back from your vacation! I don't know what tuffa castings are -- can you explain when you post your work?

:hi:

[puerco-bellies]

8. Sure Flaxbee

Tuffa is an method of casting metal using volcanic stone derived from the ashfalls of old volcanoes. You carve the pattern in the soft stone with an opening for the silver to reach the pattern. It is harder to execute then it seems, but the tuffa imparts a texture to the piece that I really like. The effect is similar to sandcasting, but you can make more detailed carvings once you have mastered the art.

[Flaxbee]

15. wow - it sounds like an intricate process...

volcanic stone can't be easy to work with. I'd love to see some pieces when you've got them, and look forward to your 'shameless plug' for your website when it's finished!

:hi:

[femmocrat]

11. How beautiful!

Do you have a website where we could view some of your creations? I would love to see more! Thanks!

[puerco-bellies]

12. I am meeting with the guy designing my site this evening.

I will post a shameless plug once it is up.

[Brigid]

13. Wow!

I didn't know that there were so many different varieties of turquoise. Show us pictures when you make the jewelry.

[wildhorses]

14. vera nice

i work with turquoise a lot in my jewelry :hi:

[peacefreak]

16. What beautiful pieces.

They remind me of the cool clear water & open sky. I try to wear at least a little every day. Would you mind if I used your picture on my desktop? Looking forward to seeing your site.