Description
This is a rare and beautiful necklace featuring an 18.25 ct center bead of Carico Lake turquoise that is framed by six other gemstones of Australian chrysoprase and gem silica. Carico is a rare turquoise mined in Nevada that comes in a variety of colors including shades of green that are found nowhere else in the world. The Carico center bead in this piece is a pale green that exhibits “water web” pattern and spiderwebbing of host rock in which the turquoise is formed.
The Carico bead is framed by two small pale chrysoprase beads and then two larger blue-green chrysoprase beads all of which are from Australia.
The final or outermost beads are gem silica from Mexico and have an unusual shade of pale blue that compliments the gemstones in this piece.
Carico Lake rough material is not being sold anymore. I purchased this material nearly 20 years ago. The same goes for the gem silica from Mexico. Occasionally I have run across bits and pieces from dealers or collectors like what was used in making this piece.
One last note on Carico Lake; I have seen all types of material being marketed as Carico Lake turquoise from dyed howlite, dyed turquoise and even variscite. When you buy from ARJ you can count on getting what you pay for. All of the material used to make this necklace was purchased from the mine’s owners and cut by me to make the item.
In addition to the stone beads, the necklace utilizes two of my favorite types of stamped sterling silver Native American beads. The hammered silver S-clasp is larger and easy to manipulate. Overall, there are approx. 25 grams of .925 sterling silver included in this piece.
The center bead is approx. 19 mm tall and 15 mm wide. Please see photos with the older U.S. dime for size/scale or the photo of the necklace on the display “neck”.
The entire necklace weighs approx. 36 grams or 1.25 oz and while it has a rich and substantial feel it is not too heavy to be worn often or for extended periods of time.
The necklace is strung on high-quality high-strength coated wire and each side of the necklace is double-crimped for security and durability.
Learn more about Carico Lake Turquoise, Chrysoprase and Gem Silica at these links.






