SILVER TURQUOISE & HEMATITE CACTUS NECKLACE

• Sterling silver prickly pear skeleton cast pendant measures 2" in length by 1" width with hammered bail and 18x13mm kingman turquoise cabochon from Kingman, AZ mine
• Hematite beads 4.25 round strung with kingman turquoise 4.5mm round beads and sterling silver focal 15.35x6mm bead plus 2.30mm flower beads
  
• Cast sterling silver 13.5mm round button clasp with 2.3mm flower and 4.25mm hematite beads button hole
• Necklace measures 17" in length and can be made longer with these extensions are found in accessories 2" extender and 3" extender
• This is a one of a kind show stopper necklace which will receive many compliments
• Turquoise is the December birthstone
  

When our prickly pear cactus froze and died one year.  We decided to save some pads and see what the skeleton structure looked like.  The webbing structure was so cool that we had to do something with it.  Karl came up with the idea of pulling it apart and casting pieces to make jewelry.  The skeleton structure is burned out in the kiln and leaves the cavity to shoot the metal into the casting. Audrey works with Karl to design and make the beaded necklaces for each pendant. This is a special hand-made piece that is part of nature from the desert.  

Taking care of your jewelry:  This piece of sterling silver jewelry is high polished and not sealed. It will naturally patina over time which gives it a duller sheen.  If you want more of the high polished look we recommend our Jewelry Cleaner in Accessories.  As always be careful when dipping any stones.

TURQUOISE

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum, It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Although much turquoise jewelry is sleek and modern, many US consumers are familiar with the traditional jewelry of Native American peoples such as the Pueblo, Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo. People interested in Native American arts and crafts frequently collect this stylized silver jewelry.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Turquoise improves the mental state overall by increasing all of the following positive mental characteristics: serenity, creativity, empathy, positive thinking, sensitivity, intuition, happiness wisdom all of which result in a calmer state that leads to greater self-realization.

WHERE IT’S FOUND

Turquoise is found in its natural state in places with dry climates around the world. It is mined in the U.S., Mexico, Iran, Chile, China, and Tibet. While the characteristics of each stone are very similar, different mines produce slight variations of turquoise.

HEMATITE

Because of its high iron content, the Hematite crystal stone meaning is associated with the ancient Greeks who used powdered Hematite to make a red pigment. Because of its intense blood-like shade when mixed with water, the Greeks named it 'haima,' the Latin word for blood. This mysterious stone with a silvery sheen is linked with the silver color ray, the shaded moonlight that mesmerizes with its bright and clear iridescence.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Hematite is also excellent for healing the body because it cleanses the blood and supports circulation, making it a must-have in your healing crystal tool kit. Use its warm, energizing vibes to jumpstart a sluggish nervous system and infuse your energy centers with a sense of newfound strength.

WHERE IT’S FOUND

Gray Hematite is typically found in places that can have still standing water or mineral hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone National Park in North America.