HANDCRAFTED EARRINGS BY NAVAJO ARTIST MURPHY PLATERO
Beautiful 2-stone post earrings. Set in solid sterling silver with genuine orange spiny oyster shell and high grade Kingman turquoise. Measuring approximately 1"1/2 in total length with a width of 3/8", these are a medium sized earring. Outstanding silver details can be seen throughout the earrings.
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.
Spiny Oyster Shell (orange 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 to South America. The Orange Spiny Oyster occurs in shallow to moderately deep waters, where snorkelers and scuba divers readily harvest them. Purple Spiny Oysters grow in deeper water, making them more difficult to find and harvest.