Sterling Silver Royston Ribbon Turquoise Pendant

A simple, minimalist one-of-a-kind pendant, handmade in sterling silver and set with a 12x10mm oval cabochon of natural, untreated Royston Ribbon Turquoise in a classic bezel frame. It hangs on a sterling silver belcher chain.

Why is it called "Ribbon" turquoise?

At the Royston mines, turquoise often forms in thin veins that run through the surrounding host rock. Instead of cutting the turquoise away from the rock, the stone cutter keeps them together, so the finished stone shows a flowing "ribbon" of turquoise winding through its natural host stone.

This style is also known as Boulder Turquoise. It shows exactly how turquoise forms in the earth, like a tiny window into the mine itself, and because no two veins are ever the same, every ribbon stone is completely unique.

The Royston mine and the Otteson family

Royston Turquoise comes from the Royston Hills near Tonopah, Nevada, a mining district known for turquoise in beautiful shades from deep green to vibrant blue.

The mine has been in the care of the Otteson family for generations. In 1958, Lynn Otteson moved to Tonopah to mine Royston Turquoise, and his family has been mining turquoise at Royston and throughout the area ever since. Today the Otteson family still mines, cuts and shares Royston Turquoise, making it one of the great family stories of American turquoise.

Natural and untreated

The stone in this pendant is completely natural: it has not been stabilised, dyed or treated in any way. Both the turquoise and its host rock are exactly as they came out of the ground, simply cut and polished to reveal their beauty.

Details

• Metal: Sterling silver
• Stone: Natural, untreated Royston Ribbon Turquoise, Nevada (not stabilised), 12x10mm oval cabochon
• Design: Classic bezel frame, simple and minimalist
• Chain: 20 inch, 1.5mm sterling silver belcher chain
• One of a kind: only one available

Love Royston Turquoise? Take a look at our Sterling Silver Royston Turquoise Ring, a statement piece with a rope frame and silver feathers, set with turquoise from the same famous Royston mines.

Handmade by Breathe Jewellery UK.