Always in style
Turquoise and silver, along with diamonds, are classics in NM
Marilyn Monroe famously sang, “A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
While diamonds remain the gold standard for classic jewelry, in New Mexico, there are variations of what defines classic jewelry.
This holiday season, the classics in jewelry are still popular.
“Turquoise and silver,” says Peter Berger, Palms Trading Co. general manager. “If you watch award shows like the Grammys, there is always someone wearing a squash blossom necklace with giant turquoise pieces. Those are always pieces that are going to get attention. Especially the traditional pieces from Santo Domingo. Those are always super popular for us.”
At the Palms Trading Co., which buys directly from the artists, they keep their eyes on attaining classic pieces.
Berger says turquoise and silver have always been a strong, classic combination, which is why Native American artists still use it.
He’s been seeing more coral used in some pieces.
“When you think of classic Native American jewelry, turquoise and silver is at the front of the line,” he says. “It can be in a necklace, bracelet, earrings or even a bolo tie. It’s a versatile combination which is why it’s a classic and seems to never go out of style. In New Mexico, we’re very lucky to be able to mix the classic Native American pieces with contemporary ones. This is why I look for all types of jewelry for consumers.”
Made by hand
Gigi Fite, manager at Lilly Barack, agrees with the timeless look of turquoise and silver.
“The thing about turquoise and silver is that each piece is one of a kind,” Fite says. “Our Native American collection is hand made. Classic turquoise never goes out of style.