Opal, onyx, agate—oh my!
Arizona was blessed with a surplus of sunshine, stunning vistas, and—beneath its dusty red crust—some of the most beautiful gemstones found anywhere in the world.
The state is famous for its turquoise—Native Americans began using Arizona turquoise over a thousand years ago—and it is still the world’s leading producer of the gem.
But Arizona also leads the way globally in the production of gem-quality peridot. Petrified wood, copper, azurite, chrysocolla, malachite, agate, amethyst, garnet, jade, jasper, obsidian, onyx, and opal are indigenous to the state as well.
These gorgeous, precious materials are used frequently in many of the jewelry collections set to show in a few weeks at JCK Tucson—the annual fine jewelry and gems tradeshow that will take place Feb. 1–4 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa.
Below, a clutch of styles headed for JCK Tucson that celebrate Arizona’s gemstone legacy:
14k gold necklace with oval-shaped agate; Lauren K
Faceted amethyst drops with .05 ct. t.w pavé diamonds; Asbury Adams
Arrivo peridot sterling silver and 14k gold cuff with peridot; John Atencio
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