Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring

Navajo sterling silver and White Buffalo turquoise ring by Navajo silversmith Dixon. Grade A quality, untreated, natural stone set in sterling silver and surrounded by twisted rope border with palmette ends. Maker's mark and stamped sterling. Size 8, Face 1 1/4" x 1", 11.37 grams

White Buffalo is often referred to as turquoise due to its discovery in a turquoise mine. The reason behind its illustrious white color is due to its formation by the same mineralization process, "regular" in which turquoise undergoes. However, the difference between this and other turquoise is that it lacks the presence of heavy metals like copper, iron, or zinc, which add the common turquoise colors in the blue-green-yellow spectrum. This stone, sometimes called Sacred White Buffalo, is very rare and coveted for its distinct qualities. This type of stone and jewelry made from it has become increasingly popular in recent years in Southwestern and Native American art communities.