Bisbee Turquoise Stack Mount Ring by Toney Mitchell

A striking example of Toney Mitchell’s distinctive silverwork, this Bisbee Turquoise Stack Mount Ring pairs a dramatic natural turquoise cabochon with layers of hand-finished sterling silver. The substantial oval stone is framed by twisted silver wire and multiple stacked, tooled silver elements, creating the dimensional, almost architectural face that is characteristic of Mitchell’s work. The band widens as it approaches the setting, giving the ring a strong, tapered silhouette while maintaining a comfortable 3/16" width at the back.

The Bisbee turquoise is especially compelling, with vivid blue turquoise contrasted against a rich brown matrix. Bisbee is among the most sought-after American turquoise varieties, historically recovered as a byproduct of copper mining around Bisbee, Arizona, particularly the famed Lavender Pit. Its distinctive blue color and dramatic brown-to-black matrix have made Bisbee turquoise highly collectible; commercial recovery from the Lavender Pit ended decades ago, making documented older material increasingly prized.

Mitchell learned silversmithing from his brother, Leo Mitchell, and is known for incorporating traditional Navajo design influences into contemporary jewelry. His hallmark consists of an M accompanied by lines resembling a sunburst and floral flourish. The rough-textured silver along the band appears consistent with tufa-cast construction, in which molten silver is poured into a mold carved from soft volcanic tufa stone. The organic texture left by the mold is then combined with hand-finished, stamped, and applied silverwork. Here, Mitchell takes that foundation further with carefully layered and tooled silver around the stone, balancing rugged texture with remarkably precise edges.

• Toney Mitchell, Diné
• Sterling silver
• Bisbee turquoise
• Ring size 8
• Face: 1 3/8" high × 1 1/8" wide
• Setting: 1/2" high
• Band: tapers from 3/16" at the back toward the setting
• Hallmarked with Toney Mitchell's signature M and sunburst/floral-style maker’s mark.