Lucky me, I got to add a few pieces to my turquoise jewelry collection while vacationing in Wyoming. I usually stop in and visit with Greg Koschtial while I'm in Cody. Greg owns a small jewelry shop there and carries lots of gorgeous southwestern/native american pieces. He's a terrific jeweler in his own right, specializing in elk ivories, but I ended up getting a few other pieces from him. For those of you not familiar with elk ivories they're elk teeth...a common jewelry material, at least in the West!
These Les Baker pieces jumped out at me. Les Baker is well known for his hand-fabricated, southwestern style pieces. Finely done swirls, flowers and rosettes are a distinguishing feature of many of his designs. If you like jewelry at all, you have to admire his craftsmanship and sense of style.
Greg knows how to treat his customers and he steered me right on this beautiful boulder turquoise ring. Boulder turquoise is sometimes called "ribbon turquoise" and usually consists of a large part of host rock with thin ribbons of turquoise running through. I love the asymmetrical bezel setting of this ring by P. Sanchez.
I picked up this lovely dead pawn bracelet in Sheridan. Dead pawn, or old pawn, is jewelry that was, at some time, pawned for cash but never redeemed. It's usually old or vintage and unique in design.
Last, but certainly not least, is this stunning piece created with Fox turquoise. It's called "Carico Lake Dots" and I found it at the Bradford Brinton ranch. The ranch lies just outside Big Horn, Wyoming, in the most idyllic setting, and has a long, rich history. When we arrived there, the first thing I saw was an adorable airedale dog laying on the porch. His fox terrier friend soon joined him and I was in love. Eventually, we moved inside the house where some of the Brinton's incredible art collection is found including paintings by Russell, Remington, Gollings and many more. One of the rooms is adorned with hand-painted wallpaper and in the bedroom is a wonderful quilt collection along with several pieces of amazing jewelry. The art collection was very large and one of the employees told me that, when the time came to retrieve and organize it, there was artwork stashed in every nook and cranny of the house. In fact, there is now a separate building which houses much of the collection, including quite a few pieces of spectacular Indian beadwork and dress and, of course, the gift shop. Which is where I found this. The perfect memento of a wonderful afternoon and a wonderful trip.
Sheridan? Cody? Heck they are just down the road apiece. Thanks for the tip. I hope my wife likes this stuff.
Posted by: Ken Mueller | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Yikes! Those are some beauties you picked up. Gotta grab them when you see them I always say!!!
Posted by: Susan Dilger | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 10:31 AM
My most favorite jewelry...what wonderful finds!!!
Posted by: Stacie | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Gorgeous jewelry! I love old pawn, too. If you are not already familiar with his work, take a peek at Navajo artist Alvin Yellowhorse's stunning jewelry. Find it at www.aycustoms.com. It's a feast for the eyes and soul!
Posted by: Linda Byrd | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 06:31 PM
What beautiful pieces you found-they were meant to be yours! I have an extensive collection of Navaho jewelry due to the fact a very good friend, Erick Begay, owns a silversmith studio and has created many pieces for me.
My husband also spoils me every Christmas and birthday. I don't wear them often enough but I'm fixin' to remedy that!
Enjoy your treasures in good health.
Posted by: Sharon | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Holy cow girl! You cleaned up! lol Love that boulder turquoise ring! It's all gorgeous. They must just LOVE when you stop in! ;)
Posted by: Michelle Adams | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Deryn, What an informative and pretty post on the turquoise jewelry, stones, teeth!... and makers....along with a painted picture for us of the Bradford Brinton Ranch! Sure is tempting to go and discover a new area of our awesome country....love the Carico Lake piece...!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sherry Peck | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Really awesome finds, and great mementos of your trip. Those are truly masterful artists Deryn. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Posted by: Erin Prais-Hintz | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Well, it seems we have another thing in common-- Navajo jewelry! Love those pieces, especially the old pawn bracelet with the greenish turquoise. I forgot how much I enjoyed wearing mine, got to dig them out and put them on. Thanks for reminding me!
Posted by: Christine Damm | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 05:39 AM
wow !!! really beautiful.
Posted by: Marie-Aimée | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 03:06 AM
lucky you, i love the dead pawn bracelet :)
Posted by: Sandra | Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 01:49 AM
You picked up some great pieces on your trip. That boulder turquoise is stunning!
Loved the information about elk ivory - I didn't know that! Funny thing though. I live in Bavaria at present and Bavarians are a very traditional group. They still wear their traditional clothing as a part of normal life (you know, like the dirndl or the leder hosen; what people in the world think is particularly German). There is also typically Bavarian jewellery - Trachtenschmuck - with pieces that are worn by men and others worn by women. A typical element are "Grandeln", which are in fact deer teeth.
Just had to mention...
Posted by: Renate | Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 11:33 PM