I recently started looking around on Pinterest. Russ, who also posts here is a keen 'pinner' of turquoise beads and jewelry. With 653 images of turquoise and native American jewelry, this is a bord that may interest you.
I have only bought 'turquoise' colored beads I know to be imitation pieces. Personally, I can tell the obvious fakes apart, but not the better fakes, treated or colored stones. It makes me weary of buying 'real turquoise'. Last year I did trade a necklace I made for three strands of beautiful turquoise beads in Tucson, straight from a miner.
The stones are very nice ones. I'll repost this neckalce on the Pinterest page Floor mentions.
"Chief's Necklace" is a marketing term, not a name that Southwestern natives would use, unless they were trying to sell....
The silver beads look to be mass produced by one of several place that machine stamp them in halves and use a kiln or furnace to solder them. This kind of bead is still made by Indian Jewelry Supply and Thunderbird Supply. Each these suppliers bought one of the 2 main small shops making these sorts of stampings and beads. These are the typical beads used in stringing Squash Blossoms and many other Southwestern necklaces. They are often called "bench beads" but, strictly speaking, are not hand made beads.
So far in Tucson I have seen a lot of newly made beads from stone that was mined in the 70's and 80'.
Your compliment is well received Russ, thank you, that meant alot. I've forgotten to use the words 'may have been,' when discussing this necklace, thank you for reminding us all of those details. Best of luck in your hunting at Tucson. That goes for you, too, Floor! :)
Here is a necklace that my nice/friendly seller also had for sale at that time, it was understandably worth more.
And also attached is a pic of just one of my favorite's.
I'll end my post here - does anyone else have time/interest in posting any pics/more info...
Turquoise was always my most favorite stones and beads. The very first beads I ever bought were some gnarly old treated turquoise back in the late 1960's. I still have them, but have never taken a picture.
Here is some that I had recently though, including some very neat antique dark colored Tibetan sourced beads that were most likely from costume items and some southwestern slice type beads. Used to be able to find some really good turquoise at the Rodeway Inn in Tucson, but its been awhile since I was there.
