Inlaid Turquoise Lapis Sterling Silver Bear Dangle Post Earrings.

These dangle post earrings are colorful pieces of fine hand made jewelry. This pair features dazzling southwestern Pueblo Indian style inlaid designs. They feature hand cut stones of quality man made Turquoise, Coral, Lapis, Jet, and Mother of Pearl. The Sterling Silver casings create traditional bear symbols. Non Indian made. These dangle post earrings are 7/8" long. Stamped Sterling.

Turquoise is a valuable mineral and is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in the jewelry trade. It has been mined for eons since at least 6000 BC. by early Egyptians. Its history also includes beautiful ornamental creations by Native Americans and Persians. Its popularity is still quite strong today. Although crystals of any size are rare, some small crystals have been found in Virginia and elsewhere. Most specimens are crypto crystalline, meaning that the crystals could only be seen by a microscope. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by some southwestern United States specimens. The name comes from a French word, which means stone of Turkey, from where Persian material passed on its way to Europe.