Orange, spiny, oyster and turquoise cross ring

A bright orange spiny oyster shell piece in the shape of a cross sits at the center of this highly oxidized ring crafted by Navajo artisan Angela Martin ("A. Martin") very ornate design. Twisted rope wire frames the cross while Sonoran gold turquoise and small pieces of red spiny oyster shell accent the cross at the top and bottom. Raised "shot" elements stamped in silver add to this very ornate, deeply stamped design.

Materials: Sterling silver, Turquoise, Red & Orange Spiny Oyster Shell Spiny Oyster Shell (orange, purple and reddish colors) Living Spondylus shells are, indeed, very spiny, but the polished product looks very smooth; the most used Spondylid Bivalve shell colors include orange, reds, and purples and may include distinct striations and color variations. One also finds pink, red, brown, yellow, orange, and white on the market. The Yellow Spiny Oyster’s especially rare. In the American Oceans, the Spondylids occur along the North American coasts, as far north as North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast, and northwestern Mexico, on the Pacific Coast. It develops in waters of South America. The Orange Spiny Oyster occurs in shallow to moderately deep waters, where snorkelers and scuba divers readily harvest them.

Mounting measures 1 3/8" x 3/4". Band measures 3/8".