MrFlibble
14.05.2021 6:53:56
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There's also a museum next to the tavern. [links]
The Turquoise Trail in New Mexico is a scenic highway linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe through rolling hills with mountain views and quaint historic mining towns. The trail begins to the south in Tijeras and the Cibola National Forest, then heads north through Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Edgewood, Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, before ending in the San Marcos/Lone Butte area.
Many travelers begin their drive along the Turquoise Trail just outside Santa Fe. Take exit 278A off I-25 south of Santa Fe, and you are headed south along the Turquoise Trail.
It is the quintessential dusty western town. You'll find a dog lazing in the middle of a dirt street, a nationally known artist in his studio and adobe homes creatively fashioned by escapees from the '60s. It's an interesting place, especially if you bring your camera.
Madrid was once a coal mining town and the streets are lined with small miner's homes that have been converted into shops and galleries. Today, this recovered ghost town is a famous art destination. To appreciate Madrid and find the treasures, you'll need to poke your head into each and every shop.
Take a leisurely stroll down the main road and look in each shop and gallery. They are friendly places. Many have yards and patios and are filled with treasures and funky art. But don't neglect an appreciation of the old buildings, some deteriorating, as they have a unique and artistic charm.
You'll see: [links]
Tips for Enjoying the Turquoise Trail:
The Story of the Little Chalchihuitl Turquoise Mine
Claim # 166080 - Todd & Patricia Brown - Family owned and operated [links]
Thirty five years ago, I was walking in a New Mexico snow storm, taking the long way home around Grand Central Mountain in the Cerrillos Mining District. I came across a vein of brilliant green stone and stopped to chip off some of the vein. I used a hammer and chisel and gathered up 2 lbs of rough natural turquoise; covered the seam and headed for home. Still dreaming of the green color turquoise I had found that day, I decided to file a mining claim with the Bureau of Land Management on that same spot I found so many years ago. My family and many of my friends have helped me work the claim. We get rare green natural turquoise which I make into cabachons and set in sterling silver to sell in our shop. The green color comes from the iron content in the stone where the Turquoise is mined.
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A quick primer on buying turquoise in New Mexico: the New Mexico Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division classifies turquoise in three categories: natural, stabilized, and treated. The turquoise that comes directly from the mines, most of which are in Arizona and New Mexico, is the most valuable and is classified as “natural.” “Stabilized” turquoise means that the stone has been filled in and enhanced with epoxy to create a shinier surface. And “treated” turquoise is a stone that has been infused with artificial pieces that may improve the color but lowers the overall quality of the stone. The turquoise market here can be so murky that the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, issues a pamphlet titled “Unraveling the Mystery of Turquoise.” It’s a must read if you intend to make a serious purchase. In addition to providing buying tips, like: “Request a receipt that includes all of the vital information of your purchase, including the name of artist and tribal affiliation,” it also provides tips on how to evaluate the stone’s density and color. The bottom line—especially now that turquoise mines are being depleted—is to always shop at a reputable dealer. Do this and it’s highly unlikely you’ll get duped.
A Canyon Road institution for more than 30 years, Silver Sun publishes its own “Turquoise Guide” on its website that includes the mines they feature in the gallery. Beyond that, the company makes it a point to go straight to the source, always in search of miners who are working individual claims. [links]
The Ortega family has been selling native jewelry since 1871, so they know a thing or two about how to determine the authenticity of turquoise. But beyond eyeballing a stone to determine its quality, the institution works with world-renowned artists with long-time tribal affiliations. more