Sonoran Gold & Purple Spiny Shell Lariat Set

Lightweight and modern lariat-style necklace set handcrafted by Navajo artisan A. Martin. Highly oxidized twisted rope wire and small parachute conchos decorate the Sonoran gold turquoise and purple spiny oyster shell-adorned design. Smooth, paper clip-style chain with simple hook clasp crafted from "half round" wire.

Material: Sterling silver, Sonoran gold turquoise, purple spiny oyster shell and orange spiny oyster shell

Measurements: 20" long with 3.5" drop. Matching stud earrings measure 2 3/8".

Stones: Sonoran Gold Canyon Turquoise is an interesting turquoise from Senora, Mexico, near Nogales, Arizona, and its neighbor: Nogales, Mexico, which is the northernmost point in all of Mexico. The series of mines bearing this name are on several sites contingent to the American border. Very little hard natural material has been mined here. Most has needed stabilizing to be useful. The high-grade natural material is a medium blue or often medium lime green to darker green. This is usually accompanied by iron pyrite, or brown matrix. The high-grade turquoise from this mine is rare and is considered both esoteric and valuable. Shell: Spiny Oyster Shell or 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. 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 Red Spiny Oysters grow in deeper water from 35ft-300ft, making them more difficult to find and harvest.