Nugget Silver
Nugget Silver
Historical And Contemporary Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise is made up of a number of chemicals, the primary ones being copper and aluminum phosphates. These phosphates are said to be in the hydrated form in that they contain water molecules that are chemically bonded to these compounds. The geological history of turquoise started about fort million years ago. Ground water or rain water percolated through rocks containing aluminum and copper phosphates. The solution transported the salts cavities in the rock, where the water evaporated away and the salts were left behind as precipitates. With time, and under heat and pressure due to geological forces, the salts underwent a process called petrification and formed the turquoise that we see today. Most turquoise in the world today is found in shades of blue. The blue color that has made this stone so popular for turquoise pendants and other jewelry is due to the significant copper content of the stone. A higher aluminum content renders the stone green, which although pretty, is less valuable than blue turquoise. Secondary compounds within the matrix of the stone can also change its physical appearance. Zinc for example, causes the stone to be yellow. The dark veins are the remains of the original bedrock where the turquoise was formed.
The earliest forms of turquoise jewelry were quite crude. Raw nuggets that were found in the ground were cleaned with water and then strung together to form necklaces, bracelets, and other ornaments. Many early attempts at jewelry making using this stone were unsuccessful because most natural turquoise is too soft to be handled, and the nuggets would fall apart during handling. Those that withstood the strains of jewelry making were fragile in that they absorbed moisture and gradually deteriorated. Jewelry designs using turquoise took a turn for the better after Native Americans discovered this stone near Santa Fe, New Mexico. While their initial attempts at jewelry making were also relatively crude, they soon mastered the art of first identifying the best stones to use, and then using them either as individual gems in their jewelry, or cutting them into thin laminae and using them in their famous sterling silver inlay jewelry. Turquoise jewelry today has come a long way since the early attempts. The formulation of the process of stabilization using epoxy or silica vapor has made it easier to work with turquoise. It has also become more cost effective to use turquoise in fashion jewelry, and not just fine jewelry. The designs today are more innovative than they used to be. Combinations such turquoise and cultured pearls in a cultured pearl necklace, or red coral and turquoise in bracelets have been steadily gaining in popularity.
About the Author
In addition to being amateur gemmologist, Dale has written several articles demystifying common consumer electronic items such as inexpensive MP3 players and digital readers.
Jade Nugget Sterling Silver 24 Necklace
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Vintage 1980s Old Pawn Sterling Silver Turquoise Nuggets Cuff Bracelet $2,226.00 |
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Vintage Bolo Tie Silver – Gold Nugget – Yogo Sapphire $2,200.00 |
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.4″ 8.8ct Very Rare Shiny Silver PLATINUM NUGGET Salmon River Alaska for sale $2,000.00 |
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Carl and Irene Clark 1975 massive old pawn sterling silver bracelet nuggets $1,472.64 |
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Inlaid Turquoise Nugget Silver Buckle & Bolo by Lucky $1,100.00 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $999.99 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $999.99 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $999.99 |
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Vintage Pawn Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Nuggets Mens Cuff Bracelet s7.25 $998.00 |
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STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE NUGGET WATCH BRACELET 1970′S $800.00 |
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Vintage Turquoise Nugget Necklace w/Sterling Silver $799.00 |
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Turquoise Sterling Silver Chunk Nugget Necklace Authentic! $795.00 |
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Sterling Silver SAPPHIRE Nugget piece of 8 Coin Ring $779.99 |
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Gold Nuggets Embedded In Men’s Stirling Silver Ring $769.39 |
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Navajo Orville Tsinnie Godber Mine Turquoise Nugget & Sterling Silver Bracelet $767.00 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $699.99 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $699.99 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $699.99 |
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Native American Navajo XXL Sterling Silver & Turquoise Nuggets Belt Buckle $689.00 |
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Beautiful & Heavy Woman’s Southwestern Turquoise Nugget & Silver Cuff Bracelet $644.00 |
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Navajo Sterling Silver and turquise nugget eagle claw belt ,old pawn $624.38 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $617.99 |
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COPPER NUGGET AMMOLITE GEMSTONE 925 STERLING SILVER NECKLACE EARRING SET 19″ $599.99 |
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Navajo S. Silver Turquoise Nugget 12 Stone Bracelet $599.00 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $595.99 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $595.99 |
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Sterling Silver Turquoise Nugget Necklace Earrings Set $595.00 |
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VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN TRIBAL STERLING SILVER NUGGET TURQUOISE BANGLE BRACELET $595.00 |
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Navajo S. Silver Turquoise Cluster Nugget “Ketoh” Bow Guard Leather Bracelet $569.00 |
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Karen Hill Tribe Silver Flat Nugget spacer -28 inch Strand $537.54 |
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Tommy Moore Silver Turquoise Nugget Cuff Bead Bracelet $535.00 |
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NEAT OLD PAWN STERLING SILVER CORAL TURQUOISE NUGGET CUFF BRACELET WATCH BAND $525.00 |
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Beautiful Arizona Mined Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt $522.00 |
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RARE 42.0 GRAMS HIGH PURE SILVER CONTENT BULLION NUGGET ~OOAK COLLECTORS PC $499.99 |
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INCREDIBLE BIG GENUINE AMBER NUGGET,SILVER NECKLACE! $495.00 |
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COLLECTIBLE Navajo Turquoise & Silver Nugget Necklace $495.00 |
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OLD NAVAJO TUFA CAST KINGMAN TURQUOISE NUGGET STERLING SILVER CUFF BRACELET $495.00 |
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NEW 925 Sterling Silver MENS SOUTHWEST TURQUOISE NUGGETS STRETCH BAND WATCH $493.71 |
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Native American Navajo Handcrafted Silver Turquoise Nuggets Concho Leather Belt $489.00 |
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Kathreen Johnson Turquoise & Coral Nugget Bracelet Navajo Sterling Silver $488.00 |
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Tommy Moore Silver Turquoise Nugget Cuff Bead Bracelet $485.00 |
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925 Sterling Silver MENS SOUTHWEST TURQUOISE GEM NUGGET TIPPED WATCH $484.05 |
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Genuine Turquoise Nugget Traditional Silver Concho Belt $481.00 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $479.99 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $479.99 |
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27MM (1.06″) 14K GOLD SILVER LG NUGGET CROSS PENDANT $479.99 |
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Vintage Sterling Silver Clasp Morenci Turquoise Nugget Necklace $475.00 |
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Arte d’Argento Sterling Silver Multi color Nugget Bead 22″ Necklace QVC $467.40 |
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6 GOLD NUGGET Roden Bros Canada Sterling Silver Spoon * RARE $450.00 |
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Navajo Indian Genuine Turquoise Nugget Traditional Silver Concho Belt $445.00 |
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925 Sterling Silver MENS SOUTHWEST WATCH WITH ONYX GEM NUGGETS AND STRETCH BAND $442.68 |
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#38 ANTIQUE ZUNI TURQ NUGGETS STERLING SILVER 10 CONCH BELT INDIAN BUCKLE sgd BB $440.00 |
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Deb Guyot Sterling Silver Amethyst Nugget Princessa Bib Necklace $437.00 |
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925 Sterling Silver LADIES SOUTHWEST STRETCH BAND WATCH WITH TURQUOISE NUGGETS $426.41 |
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HUGE “WEE NUGGET” TURQUOISE SIGNED CL SILVER CUFF BRACELET 88.5 G SOUTHWESTERN $425.00 |
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Navajo Silver Turquoise Nugget Pendant w/ Beads 23″ $424.15 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $414.99 |
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1.25″ 14K YELLOW/WHITE/ROSE GOLD NUGGET SILVER CROSS $411.99 |
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GORGEOUS3 Strand .925 Sterling Silver Natural Turquoise Nugget Necklace $405.85 |
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Sterling silver mens size 11 Nugget ring with unrefined Alaskan gold $400.00 |
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5Lb 49ER’S RICH PAYDIRT PLATINUM SILVER NUGGET COIN BAR DUST PLACER DREDGE FLAKE $399.99 |
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Vintage Navajo Silver and Turquoise Bracelet/Cuff HEAVY Nugget STERLING ST48 $399.99 |
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Sterling Silver Squash Blossom Necklace Southwestern Turquoise Nugget 21” Long $399.95 |
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PAWN NAVAJO SIGNED STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE & CORAL NUGGET PENDANT NECKLACE $399.00 |
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Women’s Two Strand Turquoise Nugget Necklace in Silver $398.00 |
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Sterling Silver 9″ Nugget Bracelet 28mm $396.39 |
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Natural Turquoise with Sterling silver nuggets Necklace $395.00 |
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Arte d’Argento Sterling Silver Multi Color Nugget Bead 18″ Necklace QVC $393.30 |
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Old VINTAGE TURQUOISE Nugget Silver Bench Bead NECKLACE $389.00 |
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Beautiful Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt $388.00 |
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1 1/2 Lb. Rare HUGE Tribal Sterling Silver Turquoise Nuggets Necklace L@@K !!! $388.00 |
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Jade Nuggets Silver Filigree Bracelet Butterfly Design Vintage Chinese Export $379.99 |
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Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt–GREAT WITH JEANS!! $376.00 |
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New 925 Sterling Silver 17″ LENTIL, BEAD, AND NUGGET TRIPLE STRAND TURQUOISE $373.97 |
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Unique Turquoise Natural Nugget Silver Necklace $369.00 |
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Karen Hill Tribe Silver Double Printed Nugget Spacer -28 inch Strand $368.90 |
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LARGE Sterling Silver Natural Turquoise Nugget Necklace $356.35 |
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LARGE Sterling Silver Natural Turquoise Nugget Necklace $356.35 |
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Sterling Silver 8″ Nugget Bracelet 28mm $353.19 |
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$28 Silver/Gold Strike Golden Nugget Gaming Casino Token. LM Silver Waterfall. $350.00 |
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GORGEOUS 3 Strand .925 Sterling Silver Natural Turquoise Nugget Necklace $349.95 |
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STERLING SILVER LARGE TURQUOISE NUGGET TOGGLE NECKLACE $349.00 |
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Nevada Royston Turquoise Nugget Coral Sterling Silver Ring by Navajo T Ahasteen $343.00 |
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Vintage Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Nugget Buckle $339.15 |
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Vintage Navajo Silver Green Turquoise Nugget Buckle TJ $339.15 |
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100/0.01g Digital Pocket Scale Gram, Ounce, Carat, Grain $14.45 High quality strain gauge load cell system makes it accurate in full capacity range. High density ABS housing and metal support makes it very durable. Large high contrast LCD display makes the readouts clear to read. TARE function makes it much easier to weigh liquid or powder. Attractive blue back lit used in dark. User can switch off the back lit to save power. Crystal clear cover can be also us… |
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Scotsman Brilliance Series SCN60GA1SU 15 Undercounter Ice Maker – Panel Required Gravity Drain $2,677.01 SCN60GA-1SU Features • Specifications • Warranty Features -15” cabinet width, produces up to 30 lbs. of gourmet ice in 24 hours.. -Stores up to 26 lbs.. -Nugget ice is made from bits of compacted ice that are soft, chewable and absorb the flavor of the beverage.. -Uses 40pct less energy and more than 50pct less water than stand-alone, dedicated ice machines.. -Designed with sleek ne… |
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Scotsman Brilliance Series SCN60PA1SU 15 Undercounter Ice Maker – Panel Required $2,699.00 SCN60PA-1SU Features • Specifications • Warranty Features -15” cabinet width, produces up to 30 lbs. of gourmet ice in 24 hours.. -Stores up to 26 lbs.. -Nugget ice is made from bits of compacted ice that are soft, chewable and absorb the flavor of the beverage.. -Uses 40pct less energy and more than 50pct less water than stand-alone, dedicated ice machines.. -Designed with sleek ne… |
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Sinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD) $54.40 No Description Available.Genre: VocalsMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 7-NOV-2006… |
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Come To The Sunshine: Soft Pop Nuggets From The WEA Vaults $9.70 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Time Life Sounds of the Seventies: Pop Nuggets Late ’70s … |
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Gold Testing Kit: Test Stone, Acid, and mini Troy Ounce Scale $18.78 This electronic pocket balance is perfect for virtually any small item you can think of, and has been used within the home as well as by professionals. The Tare button allows you to reset the scale to 0 while in use. The removable cover protects the scale’s platform while not in use AND doubles as an expansion tray. The bright green, high contrast LCD display makes it very easy to read in all sett… |
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Spade Cooley: The Silver Bandit/The Kid From Gower Gulch $3.06 B-Western double feature from country & western crooner Spade Cooley leads off with “The Silver Bandit,” with Spade as a gallant greenhorn who is out to deal justice to the mysterious titular badman. Ballads ‘n’ bullets to spare, with Bob Gilbert, Virginia Jackson. Then, Cooley plays a cowboy singer who sends a stuntman to enter a rodeo in his name in order to save a financially troubled ranch. Bu… |
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Silver Nugget Boxing – Spanish $12.95 Silver Nugget Boxing – SpanishThis product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply…. |
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TLC 5X Space Explorer Bullet Vibe Vibrator $14.26 This high powered bullet is equipped with pulsation and vibration. It has intermittent pulsation, rapid pulsation, turbo pulsation, rhythmic vibration, and mega vibration! This is for erogenous zone sexploration! You must be at least 18 years or older to purchase this item. The purchase of this item is prohibited by law in the states of Alabama and Utah…. |
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Native Copper Nugget Check out this genuine natural copper nugget!… |
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Native Silver/copper Nugget Wolverine Mining Co Calumet Michigan Mine Mi Mich Laurium We have specimens from many Michigan Copper Mines including the Nasseau, Superior, Osceola, Evergreen, Bumblebee, Wolverine, Kearsarge, East Goose Lake Quartz, St Louis, S. Hecla, Ojibway, Quincy and many more. We have lots of chalcocite specimens from Ladysmith WI. Lots of Native Copper from Michigan. We also have old photos, stocks, mining forms, and many other items. Size is 1/4″x1/4″… |
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Hershey’s Nuggets, Assortment, 38.5-Ounce Package $12.61 Indulge in Chocolaty Pleasure Hershey’s Nuggets Assortment provides two-bite satisfaction of thick and rich chocolates of different flavors. These sweet assorted delights are wrapped in gold and silver with an attractive glitzy appearance. It has an enticing creamy milk chocolate layer with oodles of toffees and almonds. They are ideal for celebrations or for gifting your loved ones. Mini… |
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Hershey’s Nuggets – Assorted, 4.5 pounds $33.50 Hershey chocolate in nugget form wrapped in gold and silver foil. These elegantly wrapped Hershey’s nuggets are perfect for special occasions…. |
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Hershey’s Nuggets – Silver – Milk Chocolate, 4.5 pounds Milk chocolate nuggets in plain silver foil wrapping. These nuggets have tasty creamy milk chocolate your going to love. These tasty treats are great for weddings.Approximately 40 pieces per pound…. |
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Denver Nuggets 3/4 Sterling Silver Basketball on Black Leather Money Clip / Credit Card Holder $48.28 Enjoy this official NBA licensed Denver Nuggets money clip. A great gift for any Denver Nuggets fan!Express your team pride with men’s basketball accessories from LogoArt®.The sterling silver Denver Nuggets logo is:Custom-made and captured in expensive metal molds for optimum detailRhodium plated to provide a beautiful lasting finishHand polished to a brilliant shine, then affixed to the leather … |
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Navajo Safety Pin Key Chain Ring Carved with Sterling Leaves/feathers and Turquoise and Coral Stones Giant size safety pin with Key chain ring is carved with Eagles, turquoise and coral stone by Navajo Tirbe Native American. Ring meausures about an inch in diameter… |
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Sterling Silver Southwest Stamped Money Clip with Natural Turquoise Nugget Sterling silverSouthwest stampings will vary in designMoney clip measures 19X45mmGenuine turquoise nugget in sawtooth setting measures approximately 7×9mm… |
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Riverboat Slots (Jewel Case) $2.39 60 3D Retro Slot Machines and more!Product InformationTravel back to the late 1880’s Riverboat casinos and try your luck at 60 3Dmechanical slot machines! Enjoy a huge selection of 3D machines with avariety of pay lines. It is all the fun of the Casinos without the riskof losing your shirt!Product Features60 3D Slot Machines! 10 Unique Casinos Play on Fully 3D authentic Retro Slot Ma… |
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GIFT IDEA: Genuine DigiWeigh 10 x 0.001 Grams ELECTRONIC SCALE-Weigh Scrap/Recovered Dredge Gold Flakes & Nuggets; Panning & Mining Digital Balance Tool! This super-accurate DigiWeigh DW-10PP Digital Scale is a well modeled and reliable weighing balance. With a capacity of 10 grams (50 carats or 154 grains), this scale is perfect for determining the weight of small items such as gold flakes or nuggets, lab chemical grams/ounces, loose diamond & gemstone carats, gunpowder grains, and more! This particular model includes a variety of accessories–inc… |
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