as long as grandmas shop for jewelry in the southwest, working with turquoise will be a dangerous path for jewelers. i've avoided the stone for years, which isn't easy for someone who lives in arizona. i just can't get the image out of my head of an overly adorned senior (think long purple broomstick skirt, studded denim jacket, outrageously ornate boots and a cowboy hat) just draped in the stuff, from
fingers to
ears to
neck,
wrists and--of course--the obscenely large
belt buckle. not that i have anything against the jewelry itself (mostly); it's the touristy package it so often accompanies that makes me uncomfortable. so, for years, i've used everything but.
until now.
 |
| styling: www.lolochic.com, photography: www.dontdaremove.com |
the key, i think, is using gold instead of silver. gold sends the tourists running for the santa ritas. so i still get to use this gorgeous stone, mined in my home state, without depending on I-10 wayside sales for this month's rent.
 |
| styling: www.lolochic.com, photography: www.dontdaremove.com |
all this is arizona turquoise, flat polished on the front and back and framed in a 24k electroplate.
the necklaces are on awesome vintage raw brass chain i found at the last tucson gem shows, and the earrings hang from cubic zirconia encrusted vermeil ear wires. finally, i worked with turquoise and wound up happy! click on the links to go straight to
my etsy site and buy your own!
