b l u e s k i e s
One of the benefits of low humidity is intense brightly blue skies, so it's fitting
that the turquoise featured in this necklace is from the Castle Dome mine near Miami,
Arizona. Like many Arizonan mines, Castle Dome was first a copper mine that is now used for
turquoise. It's still operational under an individual leasing rights to the
turquoise, and Castle Dome turquoise remains popular for its vivid blue and blue green color.
The bright blue in these beads is natural, and the beads have been stabilized to improve their hardness.
Stabilization is a process of injecting resin under heat and pressure to turquoise, which is
generally too soft and crumbly in its natural state (Moh's hardness of 2-3) to survive normal
wear and tear as jewelry. Prices for turquoise, particularly from the American southwest and northern Mexico,
have increased steadily; it's not possible today to buy these stones for the relatively inexpensive price
I paid years ago.
For bold color, try the "Brillant Blue Skies" combination: add the Brilliant necklace
Cost: $141.00 USD
Cost of gift shipment (domestic shipping only): $5.95 USD
m a k e i t a g i f t
s h i p m e n t :
Looking to ship this item separately as a gift? Gift shipment includes gift boxing and an occasion specific
card sent to the recipient via USPS Priority Mail. Fill out the fields below including this
jewelry item name, the recipient name and address, and occasion and this item will be
sent to the recipient with a card and note. See the gift box section
for samples of shipments with different occasion specific cards. Cost of gift shipment (domestic shipping only): $5.95 USD
c a t e g o r i e s :
- Color: blue
- Material: copper ore
- Type: necklace - mid
- So Happy: best of friends
- Something Special: iconic pieces