Jewelry
Silver bonanza
Looking at this gorgeous bonanza of jewelry you might not think "accident."
But the discovery of silver in the American West was mostly just that. It was gold that put the silver glint in the eyes of Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin, who were prospecting eastward from California's gold fields in 1859 when they staked out what would become the Comstock Lode — a bonanza mine that would yield more than $300 million worth of silver and gold in two decades.
Colorado's Oro City — the name means gold — was a tapped-out gold camp when ores rich with silver were discovered in 1877 and the great silver city of Leadville was born.
And it was gold prospectors who accidentally discovered the Coeur d'Alene region's Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines, the first indication that Idaho would become the country's leading producer of silver.
For those of us who love to go prospecting for great-looking jewelry, a happy accident indeed.
(Hold your cursor over the slideshow images for information on each piece.)
Photography/styling by Shelle and Michael Neese/Studio Seven Productions/Albuquerque, NM, www.studiosevenproductions.com
RETAILERS
• Ben Nighthorse from Sorrel Sky Gallery 970-247-3555, www.sorrelsky.com
• The Bohlin Company 800-823-8340
• Clint Orms Engravers & Silversmiths 830-367-7949, www.clintorms.com
• Comstock Heritage 775-882-8500, www.comstockheritage.com
• Coreen Cordova Jewelry 415-455-8805, www.coreencordova.com
• Don Lucas from Desert Son Inc. 520-299-0818, www.desertson.com
• Douglas Magnus from Magnus Studios 505-983-6777, www.douglasmagnus.com
• Federico Jimenez 310-458-4134
• Gilbert "Dino" Garcia www.chacodog.com
• Gist Silversmiths 800-456-4478, www.gistsilversmiths.com
• Gloria Yazzie from West of Santa Fe 505-255-6523, www.westofsantafe.com
• J. Chapa Hernandez Jewelry 425-451-0244, www.jchapahernandez.com
• Julio Pagliani 609-466-8542, www.juliopagliani.com
• KatieO Jewelry 954-638-9118, www.katieojewelry.com
• Leonard Nez from Turquoise Direct 505-934-5294
• Matt Hackett from Matt Hackett Buckles and Accessories 281-341-9620, www.matthackettbuckles.com
• Max Lang Belts and Buckles 800-776-2629, www.maxlang.com
• Mummy's Bundle 928-284-0400, www.mummysbundle.com
• Navajo artist Juan Willie from BC & Company 505-255-1400
• Pam Springall 505-757-6520
• Rewards 800-292-0195, www.shoprewards.com
• Ricarda McCleary Clause from The Lucky Star 775-825-2180, www.luckystargallery.com
• Richard Schmidt from Schmidt Jewelry 800-368-9965, www.richardschmidtjewelry.com
• Sunwest Silver 505-243-3781, www.sunwestsilver.com
• Susan Adams from Seidel's Saddlery 307-587-1200, www.seidelsaddlery.com
• Sweet Bird Studio 303-440-9891, www.sweetbirdstudio.com
• Thistle & Bee from Rewards 800-292-0195, www.shoprewards.com
• Videlli Designs 505-660-6377
• Vogt www.vogtsilversmiths.com
• Western Vintage Revival 580-379-9060, www.westernvr.com
Issue: January 2009
