Ingot Silver Bracelet with Burnham Turquoise [SOLD]

This Navajo bracelet was made from heavy ingot silver.  There are three silver bars that are spread apart except for being joined at the ends of the bracelet.  Mounted on top of the split portion of the silver bars is a flat sheet of silver on which are mounted the essences of the bracelet—beautiful blue Burnham turquoise from Nevada.  The bracelet dates to circa 1940s.

The center stone is an oval and domed beautiful blue color with copper matrix and it is surrounded by 8 smaller similar stones set in a flower arrangement.  On each side of the flower are four other turquoise cabs of matching color and quality.

Burnham turquoise originates from the Godber Mine of Nevada, a mine discovered in 1932.  The original name was “Last Chance” and it was renamed Burnham when the mine was purchased by Frank Burnham who eventually sold it to Walter Godber.  It mine is referred to as Godber and the turquoise is still known as Burnham. 

Burnham turquoise has a dark matrix of iron pyrite running through the turquoise.  It is a very high quality turquoise and has been called “some of the finest turquoise in Nevada.”  It is and has always been a very collectible turquoise.  It is a beautiful color turquoise and is magnificent on this exquisite heavy-silver bracelet. 

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading: Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide  by Joe Dan Lowry.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Idaho