THE 'ALDRICH'S"
If you've ever shopped at the more 'higher end' southwest stores,you may know the work of the 'Aldrich's".. The Aldrich's consist of husband & wife duo"Valerie & Benny" & are based out of Durango Co. Their work is highly identifiable & if you can appreciate what artists go through,not only with time spent creating,but working & inlaying the tiniest stones possible,then you can't help but appreciate & love this duo's jewelry! The only other work that can be close,when it comes to meticulous workmanship,as well as working with the smallest of stones,is the work of the Zuni Pueblo people.. Their jewelry is 'pure art'!

Their early pieces consisted of shell inlays and the occasional concho belt. To augment their income, the couple sold pipestone and serpentine from local Arizona quarries to Santo Domingo, a New Mexico pueblo famous for its bead makers. When asked what their raw materials would look like as beads, the Aldrich’s began to drill and ground beads from the rough stone they sold.

The Aldrich’s were among the first artisans to use gemstones and spiny oyster for inlay, using only the best natural gemstones and other traditional materials. They are known for pairing stones known to the SW, like turquoise,spiny oyster,coral,but with added semi precious & precious stones together..They have a style that is ONLY unique to them & have a very identifiable look & once you become familiar with their work,you will spot it everytime thereafter. They cut each & every,everything by hand & are extremely skilled at what they do.. The jewelry they create,is flawless & very upscale & because of the gem quality materials used & the time it takes,their jewelry brings in top dollar no matter where it is sold.
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THE PENDANT:
Designed in a HEART setting is the most incredible mosaic inlay workmanship that is known to this husband/wife duo! Designed in a delicate style necklac,the base is made of white agate & then in the center are 'slivers' of tiny skinny cuts of purple Sugilite then inside the diamond shape are even TINIER cuts of the purple Sugilite that lays side by side even smaller Spiny Oyster cuts & then a square cut of green Gaspeite in the center.Comes with the link style Rolo chain.

***Because of close up photos,these stones look larger than they are, but in all actuality, they are tiny,tiny,tiny slivers of hand cut stone & shell!!!And when you get this in hand,you will ask yourself "How in the world did they cut these stones SO small"????!!!(Especially in the center square design!) This alone will make you appreciate the work they do!

***Besides their upscale name recognition, their prices are based on not the weight nor the size, but all the time that is spent to create these works of wearable art!**

Would make a fabulous gift!!!