BIL 408 - 32" Navajo pearls w/ barrel & saucer beads

Measuring 32" in length with a 2" chain extension. The Navajo artist has used round, barrel, saucer and fluted Navajo pearls. The design of these types of beads gives this necklace a rustic vintage feel. 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. Navajo Pearls are traditionally made sterling silver beads. Silver beads are a traditional art form for Diné silversmiths, and the beads have as many expressions as there are artisans.... Making the beads is a time-consuming process. Each bead begins with silver that has to be melted, rolled and cut. _______________________________________________________ Sterling silver Is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper The sterling silver has a minimum fineness of 925. SILVER, for example 99.9% pure silver, is relatively soft, so silver is usually alloyed with copper to increase its hardness and strength. Sterling silver is prone to tarnishing, and elements other than copper can be used in alloys to reduce tarnishing. _______________________________________________________ Oxidized silver (black coloring in the silver) is a process that many jewelers use to give sterling silver a black patina. It gives the jewelry an antique or tarnished look. The process consists of taking clean sterling silver and using a chemical (liver of Sulphur) to treat it to speed up the tarnishing effect.