This sterling silver pendant features a stunning and rare Bisbee turquoise cabochon from Arizona.  I bezel set this elongated cabochon, and framed it with a row of hand-formed silver rope. It has an enclosed back which helps protect the beautiful cabochon and also adds substantial silver weight to the piece.  It measures 1 ½” not including the bail. This pendant comes with a 16” sterling silver chain, however the bail is large enough to accommodate thicker chains if you want to swap this one out.

Bisbee Turquoise is one of the most prized and sought after varieties of turquoise ever mined in the USA. It was discovered in the large Bisbee copper mine in the 1870s. This mine also produced large amounts of gold, silver, lead and zinc. Typically, the turquoise and other stones found such as malachite and azurite, were dumped along with waste. During the 1970s a single lease was given for an area in the Bisbee mine known as the Lavender Pitt, and a small amount of this incredible turquoise was mined. The Lavender Pitt is now closed and the only way to procure this amazing stone is through the estates of collectors and jewelers. Very fortunately for me, my estate guy had a few precious pieces.