Kingman Turquoise March 2021

Written By Tammy Helart

Just got back from our semi-annual trip to Lake Havasu City, Arizona to see my son, his wife and our two grandsons. Weather was really nice (not too hot there this time of year!). And to top it off, we missed the snowpocalypse in the Front Range of Colorado!

Had to stop in Kingman, Arizona at Colbaugh Processing to look for new Turquoise stones! Got some earring sets for designing earrings. Will be coming soon to the website.

I have had people ask me about the Purple Turquoise I get from Colbaugh. They also have bright green. What Colbaugh does is, take the scraps left over from cutting turquoise beads, dye the turquoise and mix with bronze or copper bits, spiny oyster shell, mix with resin and then pressure pressed to form blocks that lapidarists can then cut cabochons, or beads. This is a great use of turquoise because nothing goes to waste and a “new” stone is created for jewelers to use in their work.

Tammy Helart

I was born and raised in Northern New Mexico and have always been inspired by the natural beauty that surrounded me.  I found myself always drawn to the creative side and chased my art.  I am a watercolorist, a seamstress, pianist, etc. Now I'm honing my craft as a jeweler and metal smith.  I seek out natural stones that exhibit something unique and beautiful. I combine them with sterling silver to create one of a kind pieces. My emphasis in the jewelry I make is always on the stones.

http://www.Splendentstonesshop.com
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Kingman Turquoise from Colbaugh Processing