One of the most fascinating things about Pearls over most other gemstones, is that it needs no polishing or cutting, they are naturally "Pearl-fect"! It is a natural, organic product from a living creature - How cool! Another interesting thing is they are like fingerprints, meaning that no two Pearls are exactly alike. Any Mollusk that produces a shell can produce a Pearl. This includes Abalone, Marine Snails, Clams, & Oysters.

The notion that a Pearl is formed when a grain of sand enters the shell of an Oyster is a myth. Its actually from a parasite or a chunk of shell that lodged itself in the soft tissue on the inner body of the Oyster. This causes the irritated area to emit a crystalline substance called Nacre. This builds up layer after layer, eventually forming a small Pearl. Pearls are developed in just a few short months, but can keep growing for up to 20 years!
 
Freshwater and saltwater Pearls look similar but are sourced from different locations. Freshwater Pearls come from various species of freshwater Mussels that are found in Lakes, Rivers, Ponds, and other bodies of fresh water. Saltwater Pearls are found in Pearl Oysters from the Ocean. Today, cultured Pearls from Pearl Oysters & freshwater Mussels make up majority of those currently on the market. Due to over harvesting back in the 1800's many natural Pearl beds were destroyed, so natural saltwater Pearls aren't as easy to find anymore.
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Shop Pearl Jewelry at any of our 3 galleries: Santa Fe, NM. Taos, NM. & Sedona, AZ. Or Shop Online Here

Memorial day, the day where every American memorializes all the brave men and woman who fought to protect our country. It's been celebrated in the U.S. for over 150 years, and lands on the 4th Monday in May. It originally landed on May 30th every year but was changed about 50 years ago. It was also formerly known as "Decoration Day" because most Americans would spend the holiday decorating the grave of their fallen soldiers with flowers, flags, and much more. Lots of Americans still celebrate this way, but ever since The Uniform Monday Holiday Act took place back in 1971, most people spend this holiday off work or out of school with their loved ones. Some believed it was at the end of May so that the flowers all across America was in full bloom. Whether that is true or not, it still makes us smile. Make sure to give thanks to all the veterans in your life this year, they deserve it the most!
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." 
-Calvin Coolidge

Special Limited time event! Come see Naomi the Tiny Triceratops!
 
Naomi, found in Garfield County, Montana, was a young Triceratops that lived during the late Cretaceous Period, 66-68 MYA! Though we cannot know for sure, the delicate nature of the bones in this fossil leads discoverers to believe that our young Triceratops was a female. The Triceratops fossil is from the Lateral side of the skull and measures 32” in length. An adult triceratops skull measures at 80” in length. The state of Montana has unearthed a total of 75 different species of dinosaurs, the most in the entire country! Millions of years ago, nesting dinosaurs lived in the coastal plains next to the inland sea that Is now known as Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Younger dinosaurs are rarely discovered. A remarkable piece to see for yourself! Naomi will be in Touchstone gallery in Sedona for the weekend of May 20th and then she will be moved to the Santa Fe Gallery a couple weeks after! You won't want to miss her! 

Click Here to purchase this remarkable piece of history!