3mm Nacozari Turquoise Heishi. 16 inch strand.

These pictures represent the batch you would be buying from.

Gorgeous genuine Nacozari turquoise, in the famous southwestern heishi shape which takes more effort to make than other shapes in bigger sizes. These heishi beads measure only 2.7-3mm wide, 2-3mm thick and about 25 carats per strand. Gorgeous vibrant blue with some accents of browns variance.

Nacozari turquoise comes from the Nacozari mine in the Sonoran Desert in Sonora, Mexico. Also known as Nako turquoise, its beautiful blue rivals Sleeping Beauty turquoise. The mine is located south of the Bisbee, Arizona mine and is in the same mountain range. Since 80% of turquoise in today's U.S. market are from China, Mexican/American turquoise is much rarer and valuable, also will more likely increase in value as time goes on.

This batch of turquoise is stabilized, but not dyed. Most turquoise needs some form of treatment due to its softness, and there are lots of different processes. There's a "clear treat" in which acrylic resin is applied but no color is added, this batch reflects that treatment.

Further Details

• Beads width: 2.7-3mm
• Beads thickness: 2-3mm
• Strand length: 16"
• Strand weight: about 5 grams