Eula Wylie
Navajo
Navajo silversmith Eula Wylie is from Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Eula is known for using Sonoran Beauty Turquoise clusters wrapped in a dainty twist wire design and set against oxidized Sterling Silver. She was a silversmith for Atkins Trading Company.
Sonoran Beauty Turquoise hails from Mexico and is considered "stabilized turquoise".
Stabilization is the process of hardening a stone that is considered "too soft" to work with. It requires that the stone is exposed to high temperatures and then left to dry. This removes excess moisture from the stone and allows for a hardening agent to be added.
Twisted wire metalworking is a very old technique used by many Southwestern tribes. It can be found in both vintage and modern pieces.
Seen frequently throughout Native American jewelry, Sterling Silver "raindrops" are a traditional design element. They can be smooth and high polished or they can be star-like and oxidized.
Oxidized Sterling Silver is sterling that has been darkened using a surface treatment. This process helps to give the metal a "tarnished" look and is often used to provide contrast within jewelry pieces.
