Thunderbird bracelet by T.O. Willie

NAVAJO HAND CRATED CUFF BRACELET WITH KINGMAN TURQUOISE

Wide cuff bracelet by Navajo artist T.O.Willie. Set in solid sterling silver with genuine high grade Kingman Turquoise. The stamping on this bracelet is what really makes it special. Highly detailed with over 10 different patterns of stamp work along with a large thunderbird flanking each side of the center oval stone. This image of a thunder bird is reminiscent of the 1930's Fred Harvey era jewelry. Measuring 2" across with a 5-1/2" inside and a 1-1/4" opening. This is a rare find and very traditional mix of old and new style! 

Stone: 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 back 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.