The Dakota Sky Stone Difference - Talking Turquoise
By: Natalie Frazier
Nestled in the heart of historic Deadwood and Wall, South Dakota lies a hidden gem for turquoise enthusiasts; Dakota Sky Stone. This unique, family-owned jewelry store offers more than just exquisite pieces; it also provides a journey into the rich heritage and artistry of Native American Culture.
Demand for turquoise has changed and evolved throughout the years. With more than thirty different types of turquoise, the possibilities for artistry and beauty are really endless. Throughout that evolution Dakota Sky Stone has remained dedicated to their mission of bringing high quality turquoise to the Black Hills and available to everyone who may want to take part in its beauty.
“The Turquoise is changing by people’s demand because the most common used to be sleeping beauty turquoise,” Jim Tice explains. “Then, they started finding other mines and deciding turquoise didn’t need to be just blue, as long as it tests as a turquoise stone.”
Dakota Sky Stone elevates the turquoise industry, truly setting itself apart with their commitment to authenticity and quality. Every member of the family can recall a recent expedition to a turquoise mine across Nevada or Arizona. The Tice family is a part of every step along the way, making the process of shopping with them easy from their family to yours.
_
The Sunnyside mine located near the town of Tuscarora, Nevada is especially special to the Dakota Sky Stone Family. Throughout their travels there to mine stones they were fortunate enough to know the owner of the mine, and were given the opportunity to buy all of the remaining stones from the mine. The process of creating a piece of jewelry is deeply rooted in tradition and out of respect for every member of the Tice family.
“If we were not involved with what we do, in meeting with the artists and becoming family with these people, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing,” Nettie Tice shares.
The bond is strong from a lifetime of traveling to the reservations, meeting and developing relationships and trust with artists, hand picking and curating the stones that resonate with them, to learning the spiritual meanings and symbolism behind each specific stone they select.
“The stone has to speak to you,” Annie Tice-Poseley explains. “It has to spark your interest and it kind of chooses you more than you choose it.”
According to Nettie, that dedication to authenticity and quality is reflected in the knowledge they have been afforded throughout the years that they share with their customers every day. She added that someone selling a quality piece knows the details about how it was created.
That is what makes Dakota Sky Stone stand out. They were there, they heard the story and they are ready to share it with you in your own piece of the culture. Nettie encourages anyone seeking turquoise to ask questions and learn as much as possible about the piece, which helps to assure its quality.
“I guarantee every piece in this store and if it breaks you can bring it back and we will repair it. This family is passionate about what they sell,” Nettie shares. “Trust your jeweler and ask them about the piece. Ask them what kind of turquoise it is and who made it, and if they can’t answer that, they probably don’t know what they are selling.”
The stones may be the first thing to speak to the Tice family in the process of jewelry making, but Annie adds that a number of different aspects can really speak to someone looking at a final piece. Whether it is the intricacy of the silverwork, the color of the stones, or the webbing or matrix found throughout a piece of turquoise, there are many aspects to selecting the perfect piece.
In addition to turquoise, you can find other hand-picked stones such as bumble bee jasper or even shell pieces like spiny oyster. Dakota Sky Stone stays connected making sure these pieces equal the high quality of the stones they select from within the mines they visit.
The extensive process and radiant passion present at Dakota Sky Stone helps to ensure each selection isn’t only visually stunning, but also carries a story and a piece of cultural significance.
According to Navajo culture, turquoise is a stone known for soul and bodily protection branching back to the Navajo wearing it for protection in wars. It is said that if your turquoise pieces ended up holding small cracks, that that stone was picked for you and took a blow for you.
Something Nettie says she believes to be deeply true as she has seen that significance in her own life. This collaboration and respect for the culture guarantees that heritage and spirituality is at the forefront of everything Dakota Sky Stone produces and sells.
“We do our research so our customers can always rest assured things are 100% authentic,” Annie adds. “When customers come in here no one ever has to worry. The stones are the highest quality we can find, and so is our artistry.”
Turquoise Tidbits
Sunnyside Turquoise
- Found in the Sunnyside mine in northern Nevada
- Sunnyside turquoise is extremely hard and contains bright blue ripples against a darker host rock
Kingman Turquoise
- Found in Kingman, Arizona.
- Kingman turquoise can range from pale to dark blue, and sometimes includes shades of green. The color is determined by the copper and iron in the stone, with copper creating a blue tone and iron creating green hue
- Matrices can be white, light brown, or black
Royston Turquoise
- Found in the Royston Mining District, Nevada
- Royston turquoise can be two-toned, with both light and dark green or blue
- Known for heavy matrix dark brown to gold in color
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Dakota Sky Stone different?
Dakota Sky Stone stands apart through its family-owned approach, commitment to authentic turquoise, direct relationships with artists, and firsthand knowledge of the stones used in its jewelry.
Where is Dakota Sky Stone located?
Dakota Sky Stone serves customers from Deadwood and Wall, South Dakota.
What types of turquoise does Dakota Sky Stone feature?
Dakota Sky Stone features turquoise varieties including Sunnyside turquoise, Kingman turquoise, and Royston turquoise, along with other hand-selected stones and shell pieces.
What is Sunnyside turquoise?
Sunnyside turquoise is found in northern Nevada and is known for being extremely hard, with bright blue ripples against darker host rock.
What is Kingman turquoise?
Kingman turquoise is found in Kingman, Arizona. It can range from pale to dark blue and may include green tones, with matrix colors including white, light brown, or black.
What is Royston turquoise?
Royston turquoise comes from the Royston Mining District in Nevada. It is known for two-toned green or blue coloring and heavy matrix patterns ranging from dark brown to gold.
Why should customers ask questions before buying turquoise jewelry?
Asking about the type of turquoise, the artist, and how the piece was made helps customers better understand authenticity, quality, and the story behind the jewelry.
Does Dakota Sky Stone sell more than turquoise?
Yes. In addition to turquoise, Dakota Sky Stone also offers hand-picked stones and shell pieces such as bumble bee jasper and spiny oyster.
Family Owned Since 1971
Deadwood & Wall, SD | 605.390.5500
dakotaskystone@gmail.com
