A Kingman for Your Queen

Large cabochons of turquoise from the American Southwest

Another lifetime ago, I was a bit of a bronco buster. It was during my gap year … er, years … between high school and college.

I’d read too many novels about the magic of the open road and found myself with a broken down car and a lack of funds in northern Arizona. Needing work, I was hired as a cattleman by the Sidewinder Ranch. To break up the monotony, my fellow ranch hands and I began competing in the local rodeo.

That’s when I encountered Apache, the most ornery bull you’ve ever seen. After getting thrown – and my bell rung – I met Candice, the rodeo’s nurse. We dated the rest of the summer, and for our one-month anniversary, I gave her my prized turquoise bolo tie, which she wore every day after.

Inspired by that time of summer love and irritable steers, I give you the Queen’s Turquoise Ring, a rustic piece of jewelry that will make her heart swell bigger than the Arizona sky. Sourced from Arizona’s Kingman Mine, this ring places a hunk of turquoise in an oxidized setting with ornate filigree work. Kingman, as you may know, was first excavated by the Native Americans in 600 A.D., and is renowned the world over for the quality of its turquoise. The Queen’s Turquoise Ring celebrates the times worth remembering. Now, I wonder if Candice still has that bolo tie … — Jack B.