Dickie Quandelacy inlay ring 14kt gold w/Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

The hummingbird design seen in this ring is part of the Quandelacy family clan. It is a design that his wife Amy began doing in the 1950's. This particular ring was acquired from a private collection. Circa 1970. Set in 14kt yellow gold with genuine Sleeping Beauty turquoise. It is signed by the artist Dickie Quandelacy and stamped "D Q ". 14 Karat specifically refers to the metal mix that is 58.3% gold, compared with 18 Karat that is 75% gold. 14K gold is used for engagement rings, eternity bands, pendants, earrings and other fine jewelry pieces. The Sleeping Beauty Mine, located in Globe, Arizona, is no longer an active mine. For many years it produced a wide range of turquoise that is now even more highly prized for its solid soft blue color, with little or no matrix. The color of the turquoise ranges from a deep royal blue to a light sky blue. The mine originally was worked for copper and gold but during the last five decades or so it has produced gemstone quality turquoise in quantities to satisfy the commercial market. In general, the miners lease portions of the "dumps" and sort turquoise from there.