Sterling Silver Jewelry by Bruce Moffitt. Turquoise Jewelry

Silversmith Bruce Moffitt

Turquoise Jewelry.

Turquoise is another rock of great antiquity, another stone found in ancient Old World burial troves and the treasures of the Pharaohs. Queen Zar of Egypt sported bracelets of Silver and Turquoise when she went to her tomb around 6500 years ago.

Turquoise is also an ancient gemstone here in the New World. The oldest continuously operated mining district in the Americas is the area around Mount Chalchihuitl, just north of here near the small town of Cerrillos, New Mexico. Stone from this area has been found throughout North- and Meso-America, being traded as far away as the Mayas in Guatamala in the first few centuries of the Christian era. There is very little production now, but good Turquoise is still available from other mines in New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. Australia has produced some very nice Turquoise, and there is some very interesting Turquoise coming from mines in China.

Turquoise is a favorite with all of us Southwestern artists, and has been for thousands of years. There is always an ongoing hunt for a nice piece of Turquoise, and I cut the occasional piece myself. Turquoise and Sterling Silver Jewelry is at the heart of "Santa Fe Style", and is in fashion on both men and women from the beaches of Cancun to the salons of New York.

You can wear Turquoise Jewelry with a designer gown and haute couteur to the opera, or while eating brisket in old jeans and a Stetson. And you can have Turquoise on your Stetson. Turquoise has even become a staple with the Harley Davidson Jewelry folk. Turquoise is said to protect from snakebite and injuries, aid the vision, and as a powder, calm the stomach. It was said that to gaze upon turquoise would calm the insane. It has religious significance to many present-day native peoples. It is a beautiful stone, the color of a perfect spring sky.

Relax, and look around the site here. Remember, Turquoise is the kind of thing that should just "feel good". If you see something here that interests you, but just "sort of" feels good, come back and "Click Here" to read about my custom work.

Click here to learn more about Turquoise.

To discuss a piece, or for more information, call us at 505 286-4156.
To read some comments by his customers, you are invited to visit the Reference Page.