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Frequently
Asked Questions
Do you have
a printed catalog?
No. Our website is our catalog. Since most of our turquoise jewelry
is one of a kind and is our inventory is ever changing we do not have
a printed catalog.
Do you have a layaway plan?
Yes, we do layaways. We like to have 1/3 down payment at the time of
purchase and paid in three months. If the you are purchasing a larger
item and would like to extend payments out to 4-5 months please let
us know. We are quite flexible. You may call in your layaway order,
select the layaway option at checkout or email us that you are sending
in payment and we will remove this item so that it does not sell in
the meantime. Layaway option at checkout automatically removes the item
from the website. You may also click the Paypal option and it will automatically
remove the item and put in the comment field that you will be calling
in payment or mailing in payment. Any questions, just email!
What is your guarantee and return policy?
We give a Certificate of Authenticity with each piece of Native American
Indian or other artist jewelry that you purchase from us if you request
one.
Your purchase is 100 % Satisfaction Guaranteed.
If someone needs to return something we ask that it is returned within
10 days of receipt and in original condition. You will receive a 100
% refund of the price of the item minus a 5% restocking fee to cover
our costs.
How do you ship?
We ship via U.S. Priority Mail or UPS with insurance in the continental.
U.S. Shipping is a $7.00 and up depending on the value of the item.
Express Mail 2 Day is available for a flat rate of $22.95 and up depending
on the value of the merchandise. FedEx ground runs $9.50 and up depending
on value of the item, and takes approx. 4-5 business days. We now offer
FedEx over night shipping for online orders of flat rate of $48.00.
If overnight FedEx amount to your location is quite less upon shipping
we will credit that amount back to your account. FedEx overnight with
a Saturday delivery is available for an additional charge.
Alaska - $8.00 and up for USPS Priority
What types of payment do you take?
We take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Paypal, checks
and money orders.
Do you size rings?
Ring sizing is usually $20.00. If the charge for sizing comes out less
than quoted we will refund the difference back to you. Some rings we
can size up 1/2 to a full size, depending on the ring, using a jeweler's
ring roller free of charge. Note that some rings due to how they are
made cannot be sized such as inlay. The easiest way and most accurate
way to determine your ring size is to go to your local jeweler and either
have your finger sized or take a ring that fits well and have it measured.
Keep in mind wider band widths fit a bit smaller. We do not size rings
that are not ours.
Ring
Sizing Chart | SHOP
FOR A RING
Do you convert earrings to clip on?
All earrings are pieced unless otherwise noted in the description. We
can convert easily any earring on a French wire or ball post to a clip-on
earring. The cost of the sterling silver converter is $3.00. If the
earring is a post earring that you wish to convert, please e-mail us
on the possibility of converting it to a clip-on earring. This will
depend on the post earring and how it was made. SHOP
FOR EARRINGS
How do I determine my bracelet size?
The easiest way is to measure your wrist with a tape measure or use
a string and then measure the string with a ruler. Add the inside measurement
of the bracelet to the opening measurement for total circumference.
Bracelets that are adjustable are easiest to fit for size and comfort.
SHOP
FOR A BRACELET
Do you repair Sterling Silver & Native American Indian jewelry?
We offer a 6 month workmanship warranty free of charge - no cost to
customer. Items that have been damaged or broken will only be charged
actual repair costs from the silversmith and shipping. We only repair
items purchased from us. For other items please contact Dillon Hartman
of Durango, CO at durangodillon@gmail.com or leave a voice mail at 970-799-2271
Do you appraise jewelry?
You may contact John Hartman for appraisals.
John Hartman
17897 Hwy 160
Durango, CO 81301
If you are interested in selling
an item the appraisal may be free of charge, please state your intent
upon contacting us. DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL US ABOUT AN APPRAISEL IF YOU
ARE NOT TRYING TO SELL THE ITEM TO US. We are overwhelmed with individuals
who need appraisels and who are wanting to sell us jewelry. There is
a charge for appraisals if the appraisal is for your personal knowledge.
Do you do custom
work?
Not typically. If you are interested in a piece of jewelry we have but
would like one made in a different size or stone this may be possible
depending on who and how busy the silversmith is.
How do I care for jewelry?
We highly recommend cleaning your Native American jewelry and silver
jewelry with a polishing cloth and storing your jewelry in a jeweler's
zip lock bag to prevent tarnish. Soft clothes and tissue may also be
used. Your stones should be kept away from harsh chemicals, cleaning
detergents and heat. Some stones can be permanently damaged if cleaned
in an ultrasonic cleaner: amber, coral, turquoise, lapis, opal, pearl.
We have found the best cleaner that is safe for your gemstones to be
Hagerty Silversmith's Spray Polish.
Stones should be occasionally checked. If the stones are loose and wiggle,
some simple repairs can be made by the owner. By placing a tiny amount
of glue, such as Sobo 'polyvinyl acetate emulsion, between the edges
of a loosened stone and its bezel will help secure the stone. The edges
of the bezel can be gently pressed in around the loosened stone, also,
to help tighten the setting. If your stone comes completely out, the
stone needs to be reset by an experienced jeweler or silversmith. Avoid
excess bending of bracelets and most inlay bracelets can not be stretched
or bent. With proper care, you should have a lifetime of enjoyment.
Do you use synthetic Turquoise?
NO, we do not and never will. We do however use stabilized turquoise
on occasion as we have customer ask for it due to the durability. If
we use stabilized turquoise we will state that in the product description.
Do you use any other Turquoise than American Turquoise?
Yes. We prefere and almost always use Natural American Turquoise, prodominately
Natural Nevada Turquoise in our jewelry. We do however, love all turquoise.
When we find beautiful turquoise from other parts of the world we will
give them a try and if the sell well we will continue to offer this
turquoise in our jewelry. No matter what turquoise we use it will be
clear listed in the product description. WE WILL NEVER MISSREPRESENT
OUR TURQUOISE AS WE ARE AMERICAN TURQUOISE MINERS OURSELVES, AS WELL
AS HONEST AND ETHICAL JEWELERS. Please remember a rock is a rock, no
mater where it comes from. :-)
Do you creat jewelry with other gemstones than turquoise?
YES. We love almost all stones. Infact, Dillon is so obsessed that if
he had his choice he would probably use them all if he had the time.
We use Sugilite, Coral, Variscite, Turquoise, Black Onyx, Spiney Oyster
Shell, Malechite, Azurite, Dinosaur Bone, Gaspeite, Charoite, Jade,
Ruby, Highgrade Gold Ore, Chalcedony, Garnet, Peridot, Lapis, Rhodichrosite,
Rhodinite, Topaz, Serpentine, Jasper, Agate, Petrified Wood, Lizardite,
Sapphire, Emerald, White Buffalo, Faustite, Fire Agate, Amethyst, Diamond,
Tourmaline, Carnelian, Chrysophrase, Tiger's Eye Chalcociderite, Dichroic
Glass, and more. To
see other gemstone jewelry other than turquoise click here!
Do you purchase Native American artifacts?
We may or we may know of someone interested in purchasing these items:
Native American pre-1950's beadwork
Native American pre-1960's pottery
Native American pre-1920's rugs
Cowboy and Indian artifacts pre-1920's
Want to exchange? Sure.
Christmas gifts ordered in November and December can be exchanged or
returned through January 10th.
Can I exchange an item that I recently purchased?
Yes, extra shipping costs for exchanges apply. Email us that you want
to exchange and we will remove the item for exchange from the website.
Who are the
Santo Domingo?
The Santo Domingo Indians are one of the 18 modern-day Rio Grande pueblo
tribes that are descended mainly from the prehistoric Anasazi. The puebloans
moved into the Rio Grande valley in the 14th century A.D. The Rio Grande
pueblo reservations are the Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe,
Picuris, Projoaque, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, San Juan, Sandia, Santa
Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Tesuque and Zia.
The Santo Domingo create both silver, shell and authentic turquoise
jewelry. The Santo Domingo traditionally have made rolled turquoise
and shell beads similar to those of their prehistoric ancestors.
To make a strand of beads, the turquoise or shell are drilled and carefully
ground and polished into shape by pulling them across a grinding stone.
Finer the strand of beads, the more skill, time and cost.
Who are the Zuni?
The Zuni Indian pueblo is in itself a unique place because it is secluded,
off the beaten path, and in ways untouched. The reservation is approximately
35 miles south of Gallup, set along the western border of New Mexico.
The Zuni reservation has around 6,000 members and is on a high plateau
lying between six thousand and nine thousand feet. The Zuni language
is spoken by fewer than eight thousand people and no other people speak
a language even similar to Zuni.
The ancestors of the Zuni are the Anasazi and Mongollon. They and their
ancestors have been making Zuni Indian jewelry for over one thousand
years. There are approximately two hundred Zuni craftsmen at this time.
The Zuni are known for their intricate stone cutting: petite point,
needle point, inlay and detailed stone carvings known as fetishes.
Who are the Navajo?
The largest Southwest American Indian reservation and the nation's largest
tribe is that of the Navajo which has more than 160,000 members. The
Navajo Indians call themselves Dine, "the people". Their reservation
is in Northern Arizona, New Mexico and southwestern Utah. The Navajo
ancestors were hunters and gatherers from the north who wandered into
the Southwest around 500 to 800 years ago. The language is Athapascan
and is similar to the Apache tribe of the Southwest. Their language
is related to that of the Athapascan people living in northwestern Canada.
The Navajo were the first Southwest American Indians to learn silversmithing.
The first Navajo to learn silversmithing was Atsidi Sani, or “Old
Smith', in the 1850's. The earliest Navajo Indian jewelry was made using
American or Mexican silver coins as well as ingots. Today, the squash
blossom and concha belt are the most known form of Navajo silversmithing
as well as bracelets, watchbands, rings, barrettes, earrings and necklaces.
The Navajo make both hand hammered {hand stamped} and hand cast silver
Navajo Indian jewelry. One of the earliest forms was that of sandstone
or tufa casting {sandcast} in which the design is carved out into a
two-piece block of sandstone or volcanic tuff “tufa'and then blackened
with smoke to keep the molten silver from sticking. Usually, no more
than five or six casts could be made before the tufa block wore out.
About 90% of handcasting today in done by using concrete or oil molds.
Who are the Hopi?
The Hopi, "Peaceful Ones", ancestry mainly traces back to
the Anasazi who were the prehistoric inhabitants of the Four Corners.
The Hopi nation totals approximately 8,500 and is surrounded by the
Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Old Oraibi pueblo was
built before 1150 A.D. and is said to be the oldest continuously occupied
village in the United States. The Hopi speak a Shoshonean language.
Early Hopi Indian jewelry was made from turquoise, shell, wood and seeds.
Around 1890, silverworking was introduced to the Hopi and in the 1930's
a distinctive style emerged known today as overlay. The Hopi Silvercraft
Guild was founded in 1949. In overlay, two sheets of silver are soldered
together after cutting out designs in the top layer with the under layer
visible which has been oxidized and textured with chisel marks or stamp
work. A matte or satin finish is usually given to their silverwork using
steel wool. Typically, no stones are used.
Other tribes and silversmiths also create overlay but it is usually
plain and untextured. In recent years, less expensive, mass produced,
machine made imitations have been flooding the market.
What is Dendrite Turquoise?
Dendrite turquoise is produced by the crystallization of a foreign mineral,
usually an oxide of manganese at the time the turquoise is being formed.
Dendrite turquoise has a unusual fern-like pattern in the matrix and
is very rare.
What color is Turquoise?
Turquoise is usually blue, blue-green,
green, or brown. Turquoise can be any shade of these colors from a pale
almost white-blue to a deep almost a navy blue color. Turquoise can
be mint green to deep forest green. Turquoise will almost always have
a slight tint of blue or green to it. It is rare, but we have seen brown,
yellow, white, orange, red and a light lavender purple color. Turquoise
can have no matrix, spotty matrix, spiderweb matrix, pyrite matrix,
quarts matrix, and almost never but rarely gold matrix. See
Turquoise Color and Matrix Examples
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