Natural Turquoise Nugget, Spiny Oyster and Silver Bracelet, Eco-Friendly Artisan Southwest Style Unisex

A statement bracelet of chunky turquoise nuggets, spiny oyster, and a large silver feather.

• Materials:
  
• turquoise
• spiny oyste
• fine silver
• sterling silver
• leather cord
• Dimensions:
• length: 8"
• width: 1/2"
• feather: 1 1/2" x 5/8"

This bracelet is a beautiful combination of natural turquoise nuggets and bright, colorful spiney oyster beads, with accents of shiny silver. The effect is a typical southwest style, although that was not my original intent! I began with the feather, which I carved by hand from fine silver metal clay. I wanted to make a bracelet with the luscious turquoise, and what goes with turquoise better than my favorite spiny oyster? I added the silver bead which I handmade and textured also of fine silver metal clay, and a couple of other fine silver tube beads for extra sparkle. All of that begged for the feather, and the perfect use for the feather was as the closure with soft knotted leather. The leather comes from Texas where is was processed with environmentally friendly chemicals and dyes. So the evolution of the bracelet was just of parts that I happen to love, which turn out to be of a certain style! I am a Florida girl, the beach is my vibe. I don't intentionlly appropriate anyone else's culture, but I can't help it if I love the same stones! 

What I love about this turquoise is the rich blue hue with just a hint of green, and the intricate black matrix. The random shapes and sizes add to the earthy feel of the bracelet. Spiny oyster shells are prized for their warm, reddish-orange color and exhibit natural striations and patterns. Spiny oyster is one of the most popular stones of the Southwest, used in idigenous jewelry since prehistoric times. The shell is found in certain areas of the Pacific and Atlantic, and the color varies by the depth at which it lives.

>>>Fine silver metal clay is an eco-friendly product made from recycled silver. The metal is pulverized into minute particles and mixed with an organic cellulose binder and water to form a clay. When fired, the binder burns out and what remains is pure or "fine" silver, 99.9% (.999) The clay used here is Art Clay, from Aida Chemicals in Japan, which is a green company.

**Please note that model bust is smaller than actual size, so jewelry appears larger.**

***Turquoise has been treasured by civilizations around the world as far back as the Egyptians. It is believed to be a stone of purification, and will dispel negative energy. It is said to stabilize mood swings and to help bring inner calm. It is associated with the fourth heart chakra, anahata, the middle chakra that unites the physical and spiritual chakras and is the source of love and connection; the fifth throat chakra, Vishuddha, which the source of verbal expression and the ability to speak the highest truth; and the sixth third eye chakra, Ajna, the center of intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to think and make decisions. It is the birthstone of Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces, and of the month of December.

***Spiney oyster shell has been treasured for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Americas for its beauty and healing properties. Drawing from it origin in the sea, the shell promotes understanding, intuition, patience, adaptability, security, serenity and protection. It helps dispel impatience, confusion, depression and hopelessness.

***Silver has beneficial and protective qualities. It reflects negativity from the wearer, and enhances patience and perseverance. It attracts and retains the energies of stones set in it.

>>>This information is intended for spiritual support only.<<<