In this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, you’ll find a stunning silver and turquoise saguaro necklace created just for Arizona Highways. Here, the inspiration behind it from the woman who created it — artist Jenny Vaughn.
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| Order this exclusive necklace at shoparizonahighways.com. |
AH: What can you tell us about this particular piece in terms of what it’s made from and what inspired it?
JV: This piece is inspired by the desert landscape and materials I have been fortunate to grow up near. It's comprised of sterling silver and crushed turquoise that was mined near Kingman, Arizona.
AH: What can you tell us about the different varieties of Arizona turquoise?
JV: How much time do you have?! Arizona is likely the largest producer of turquoise in value and volume in the world. This is due to the high concentration of copper deposits that exist here. Turquoise is formed by a chemical reaction when water containing specific minerals (i.e. copper) flows through rock. The Phelps Dodge Lavender Pit mine in Bisbee produced some of the most sought-after turquoise in the world due to its unique deep blue color with reddish-brown webbing. The Lavender Pit ceased mining in the early '70s, and therefore this material is rare. Other notable Arizona mines include Sleeping Beauty, outside of Globe, which produced stunning sky blue turquoise specimens with very little host rock webbing present. The Sleeping Beauty mine ceased turquoise mining in 2012 to focus on the production of copper due to the rising value of copper in the world market. Thus, natural, untreated, large Sleeping Beauty turquoise specimens can have a comparable value to diamonds in today's market. Some other favorite Arizona mines are Kingman, Castle Dome, Ithaca Peak and Morenci, which often has really beautiful inclusions of pyrite in its turquoise.
AH: Tell us a little bit about your background as an artist.
JV: I've made art in various mediums all my life … painting, textile work, ceramics, traveling across the world to make and display sculpture. But jewelry making is personal — I watched my grandfather build his own studio and create all sorts of charming and unique jewelry pieces when I was a child. So, I like to think that my work is an extension of him and his artistic legacy —something I just kind of feel in my bones.
AH: You mention in the video that the Southwest has been inspirational to you, particularly having grown up here. What else do you draw inspiration from creatively?
JV: Inspiration comes in all forms. I'd have to say nature is and always will be my primary source of inspiration. I'm currently learning about lapidary arts (cutting and polishing rough stones for use in jewelry). The magic that happens when cutting open a seemingly boring brown rock to expose the world of color, texture and pattern inside is one of the most exciting things I've done lately. I'm in constant awe that our Earth creates and provides these materials, and I find that often times nature and the material itself will dictate to me where a design must go.
AH: If you could design a custom piece for an iconic Arizonan, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
JV: A born and bred Arizonan? Linda Ronstadt. She's a creative icon, she's a champion for human rights and she's been damn stylish her whole life. But, you know, Rob Halford (of the rock band Judas Priest) lives in Paradise Valley and it would be an absolute dream to create something for him. Rob, let me know your ring size!
For more information about Jenny Vaughn, visit ilovejennyvaughn.com. (Jenny is the sister of Kelly Vaughn, Arizona Highways' senior editor.)