THE EARRINGS:

Only someone that has an "artistic eye for art" could have come up with a design so creative as these, just by looking at the cuts that are laid out in front of them and seeing their subject ahead of time!. Using round cuts for it's eyes and head, little oval cuts for it's legs & a big fat tear drop/trillion cut for it's body, these cuts were creatively used to create a very impressive turquoise Beetle!

The turquoise used for these are all 'Top-Tier"/gem grade cuts and although premium Royston and Sleeping Beauty turquoise can still be found, (For a top dollar price) it's the "Top Shelf-Gem Quality" natural cuts of Fox turquoise that are used for the body, that are extremely hard to find on the market and these 2 cuts alone, would be considered on the 'rare' side and go for $$$$$ per carat.. They reek of quality, not only in color, but with these 'harder' cuts of turquoise (which equate to quality in turquoise terminology) mean also they will take a higher spit shine polish, that is very glossy. These cuts are so premium that even in the photos, you can somewhat see the glossiness! All these cuts came from Larry Cooley's turquoise collection and to learn about Larry's collection, please take the time to learn more about him by reading below!

The turquoise is set atop of a mirror polish finished sterling which gives them a contemporary vibe and will allow them to work in OR out of the southwest, without feeling like you have to wear a squash blossom necklace (That is,unless you want to!) or any other southwestern pieces if you don't want.

They are not bad on weight, but please read 'combined weights' below before purchasing.

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WHO IS LARRY COOLEY AND WHAT MAKES HIS TURQUOISE SO SPECIAL?:

The turquoise that this was made with, came from the late "Larry Cooley's" private collection. Mr. Cooley was one of the most reputably known turquoise vendors in the industry, who artists would go to when they wanted the highest quality turquoise for their own designs.. Since he was very knowledgeable, he knew what separated the junk from the premium grades & was committed to offering only the finest that each mine produced. He was a vendor who wouldn't dare offer turquoise to someone, that he himself, wouldn't want.

The turquoise he collected & sold, were qualities that only the finest of the finest "Turquoise Connoisseur's" would buy..He had a vast collection of nothing BUT the best of the best that were all natural, since his rocks were mined long before they started treating turquoise & had the best that each mine produced.

These cuts are old & are an excellent premium grade of natural turquoise, which is getting more & more difficult to find anymore, unless you're willing to pay top dollar per carat. That is if you can find any, since much has gone into private collectors hands & have become very valuable... After Larry's passing, everyone wanted dibs on his whole collection,(Which would be like hitting the lottery!) but because of Federico's long time connection with Larry & Larry's family, he was fortunate to purchase this 'once in a lifetime' limited, rare and very pricy collection(This is reflected in price) So once these stones are used up, they're gone! I have many pieces listed with Larry's turquoise, so to find them, click on his name in each category.