ISO Turquoise necklace

Irina

My son asked for my help in finding a turquoise necklace for his wife. She saw some in a store when they were in Phoenix and loved it.

He doesn’t want to buy from Etsy and would like a recommendation for a jeweler or a retailer he can trust (also, with a good return or exchange policy, just in case). I didn’t see anything on the Nordstrom site.

Do you know anyone you can recommend? An Indigenous American company would be a huge bonus.

Below are some examples of that he has in mind.

Thanks!

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5 months ago

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Joyce B

LJP

Veteran

Have a look at Silpada.

5 months ago

Bonnie

Veteran

The Museum of Northern Arizona has a nice shop with work by local indigenous Americans. If you don't find what you want in their shop, they may be able to recommend artists.

5 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

No idea, but this looks like a beautiful gift.

5 months ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

I have a lovely small piece from the artist Ella Peter's. If you search she has many other beautiful more remarkable pieces.

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5 months ago

Lynne

Veteran

IndigoPrint, that is a lovely pendant! And I love that you've used your hem-guide to size it :D!

5 months ago

VioletMyra

Active Member

I'd just like to say I love that this community is a goldmine of information and everyone is so caring and supportive. Thank you to all and Irina, best wishes to you and your son for happy and successful shopping.

5 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I have a native coworker who does an Etsy shop with his wife called OfftheRezArts. I do not see turquoise, but if beadwork is something you become interested in, he has it.

There are a ton of high-quality turquoise artists here in New Mexico. A quick Google search of "American Indian turquoise jewelry" pulls up several , some of which have the return policy, I'm sure. Here is one in Albuquerque.

https://silversunalbuquerque.c.....-neckwear/

But if I were really looking, I would search Santa Fe and Taos.

5 months ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I love the examples you have posted, Irina. Beautiful. I saw some when I was in the Southwest and bought one. I like Bonnie and Carol's ideas.

5 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Carol, thanks! I checked some of these and returns are not straight forward. Etsy is not something my son wants to do.

Indigoprint, what a beautiful necklace. I searched the artist, so some vintage items and a few for $$$$.

5 months ago

Irina

Veteran

LJP, thanks! I will take a look.

Bonnie, thanks. Interesting pieces but most of them probably out of the price range as he would not want to pay more than $1000. Also, I wonder about duties.

5 months ago

Jules

Veteran

Maybe https://tinandturquoise.ca/ - they say they source from Navajo and Zuni artists, although I find the details a bit lacking.
I’ll be honest that I see a bit of tension here between sourcing an authentic, artisanal piece from the US and not wanting to worry about duties or international return complications (make sure to read the fine print!). It’s definitely wise to want to be able to return/exchange when choosing jewelry for someone else but it will limit his options.

4 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Yes, the Etsy shop belongs to my friend--he does not do turquoise, though. The others I mentioned were not Etsy shops. I think there is a lot out there, just a matter of finding the right item/return policy.

4 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Jules, thanks! Your link is exactly what I had in mind. They ship to Canada and offer a store credit for return. I will send it to him.

I find jewelry gifts tricky and better to be bought in person. Also I don’t think my son even thought about duties, he is not an experienced shopper.

Carol, thanks! I definitely will search more. I just thought that maybe some Forum members wear turquoise and have a favorite shop.

4 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

It may be more work than he wants to do, but check out antique stores and jewellery stores that sell estate jewellery. There’s a chance one may have an authentic piece for resale.

For example Rutledge Jewelery (Toronto) has the vintage bracelet below for sale.

Or, maybe someone at the ROM or AGO boutique shops could help out?

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4 months ago

Linda

Active Member

The Heard Museum in Phoenix has a wonderful gift shop. I just checked out their website and found a few beautiful turquoise necklaces. (I had no idea that turquoise was so expensive!) Here’s a link
https://www.heard museum shop.com/jewelry/kingman-turquoise-5-strand-beaded-necklace-by-mardie-teller-navajo.html

to one that I particularly like! But there are others there as well!

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4 months ago

avicennia

Veteran

My top choice is buying directly from the artisans— I frequent the Santa Fe Plaza where artisans sell their wares in the portico of the Governor’s Palace — the oldest government building in the US. My favorite shop for Native American jewelry is Ortega’s in Santa Fe. I just bought a silver barrette there last week. Good luck with your search and keep us posted.

4 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I second avicennia. If you are going to be in Santa Fe anytime soon, stop by the plaza. I got my turquoise bracelet there. It is my one piece of turquoise, and I am happy I got it from a craftsman.

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4 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Linda, Avicennia & Carol, thank you!
I don’t plan traveling to US soon, not a lot of Canadians do now. My kids went to Phoenix in February because of the family obligations they couldn’t avoid. They are not planning to return. So, online options only. I’m working on it.

4 months ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Old Town Albuquerque has some nice jewelry shops, like Silver Sun that Carol mentioned. New Mexico has a lot of native artists, you can also check Pueblo jewelry.
You can order online from both.

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4 months ago

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