Click to View Latest IssueClick to View Latest Issue

White Buffalo Trading Company’s Turquoise: Art and Heirloom

By  0 Comments

You can’t walk around with da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” or Jackson Pollock’s “Number 5” hanging around your neck. But thanks to Pamela Minick at White Buffalo Trading Company, you can sport museum-quality turquoise jewelry that’s breathtaking and an investment for the future.

“My customers say that turquoise is an addiction,” noted Pamela, who has owned White Buffalo Trading Company for 22 years. “They come into the store and ask to get a collection started. They’ll pick out their first piece, and they continue to add to the collection year after year. The pieces are then handed down to their children. Many times, the parent and the child come in together to pick out the jewelry. Even though they are museum-quality pieces, they’re attainable.”

Finding Treasures
From gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and cuffs to earrings, rings and more, turquoise isn’t just a beautiful fashion statement; it’s also sought after as an investment piece because of its scarcity. “Grade A turquoise is only five percent of mine production. Even though it’s available in very limited quantities, I do carry quite a bit of it and as often as I can,” commented Pamela. “Unfortunately, more mines are closing, and the new ones can’t match the lost production, so getting quality turquoise is becoming very difficult. Turquoise is so beautiful, but that beauty has caused it to be mined out, and now much of it is gone.”

Pamela, whose lineage includes Potawatomi and Dakota, is an expert when it comes to this semi-precious stone; she’s been dealing in turquoise for decades. With her vast knowledge and experience, Pamela offers the KC-metro the only store dedicated to sharing Native American art and craftsmanship. Facebook is an incredibly important communication tool for Pamela thanks to its ability to quickly display new pieces arriving at her Overland Park store. It allows her to keep her selections updated so that repeat customers can easily add to their collections.

“The inventory of my turquoise jewelry is half vintage and half new, and these pieces effortlessly mix and match. In fact, they’re mixed together in displays throughout the store,” she shared. “If you’re someone who loves new or someone who loves old, it all works and works together well.”

Styling Silver
Pamela points out that a hot trend is showcasing sterling silver with the turquoise. Her Navajo pearls necklace is very popular, featuring a burnished look to the silver. Layered silver bangles and cuffs are highly sought after, and all pieces look great with turquoise. “I’ll help you pair many different pieces together to meet your fashion tastes,” she said. “A complete jewelry outfit can be created at White Buffalo.”

Pamela suggests starting with three key pieces, as your budget allows. “The squash blossom necklace is a large piece with sterling beads and turquoise. You could also consider Navajo pearls, usually graduated in size with sterling beads,” she revealed. “If you’re just beginning, you might consider purchasing a bracelet or cuff, which go from $250 to a couple of thousand dollars. I can show you all of these pieces at White Buffalo.”

In addition to a great selection of custom jewelry fashioned from rare turquoise and other precious stones, White Buffalo offers an impressive list of services. Jewelry cleaning, ring sizing and repairs, demonstrations, one-on-one bead classes, handcrafted specialty gifts, a liberal layaway program, free gift wrapping and shipping to anywhere in the U.S. are featured.

Art for Life
Complementing the incredible selection of jewelry, White Buffalo offers vintage pieces of clothing, beaded coats or jackets, cradle boards, framed art, sculpture, pots, baskets, pottery and much more. “I really try to bring Native American art into people’s lives and, most importantly, to benefit native people and their families,” enthused Pamela. “It seems that this type of business has always been a part of me.”

White Buffalo is known for the quality and quantity of its Native American jewelry. The store offers an inviting atmosphere and a pleasant shopping experience. “I love talking with people, educating them and learning from them,” she shared. “If you don’t see what you have in mind, let me try to find it. I love seeing the excitement in a customer’s eyes when I can find that special piece. Much of my selection is created exclusively for White Buffalo. You won’t see what you’re wearing on anyone else.”

If you’re looking for a beautiful piece of artwork to adorn your outfit, check out the selection of top-quality turquoise at White Buffalo Trading Company. Pamela knows her turquoise and she has personally selected every item in her store from Native American craftsmen and craftswomen. She’ll expertly guide you in your selection of a museum-quality piece to be proudly passed down from one generation to the next. 

Search Facebook for White Buffalo Trading Co. or visit the store at 13328 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas.