BC 1303 Aaron Toadlena cuff bracelet

Renown Navajo artist Aaron Toadlena has created a masterpiece.He has marked the bracelet with his signature " hand" with his initials " AT" inside. Set in solid sterling silver with genuine Kingman "water web" turquoise. Heavy detailed stamping are seen throughout the bracelet. Measuring 2" at its widest point and tapers down to 3/4" at the ends of the bracelet. The scallop edges of the bracelet make this a very comfortable. NAVAJO HANDCRAFTED CUFF BRACELET W/ KINGMAN TURQUOISE Kingman Turquoise originates in the Mineral Park Mining District near Kingman, Arizona. One of the largest domestic turquoise mines, it is found in a large open pit copper mine in the high desert country. The Kingman Mine district was first mined by Native Americans; it was part of the most extensive prehistoric workings in Arizona. However, modern production of turquoise dates to the 1880's when James Haas rediscovered the area. Natural Kingman Turquoise ranges in color from light to very dark blue and sometimes tints of green. Matrix can range from white, light brown to black and frequently flecked with pyrite and occasionally quartz. The most famous stones from this mine are rounded bright blue nuggets with black matrix. Few turquoise mines produced nuggets, especially of this quality. In its high-grade form it has always been considered among the top-quality American turquoise. This high blue color has become a "color standard" in the industry, reflected by the name "Kingman Blue". However, much of the turquoise from Kingman occurs as seams, masses, and veins, rather than in nugget form. Besides the nugget form, the most desirable Kingman turquoise is a deep blue with molybdenum pyrite; also, deep blue with pyrite as well as in a "bird's eye" pattern with "water web" matrix. Aaron Toadlena: Married for over 20 years and has 2 daughters, two sons and a grandson. He lives in Northern Arizona. All his jewelry is stamped with a "handprint" which is the symbol of the creators of the five fingers clan. The ideas and creation of his jewelry evolve when his mind, heart, eyes, and hands work in concert. Aaron always creates his work of fine craftsmanship in the late evening or early dawn, when he feels his ideas come together from his soul. He believes his jewelry is a translation of his people "where the streams come together".