Meet the Founders, Joyce and Len

It was late spring, 1969, when our family moved to a strange and faraway place: Albuquerque, New Mexico. My father, a young Army Captain, was preparing to ship out for two tours in Vietnam, and this is where my mother, two younger brothers, and I—just 8 years old at the time—would live while he was away.

Before he left, we made a family trip to Old Town Albuquerque—then in its heyday. The adobe architecture, Spanish influences, Native crafts, art, street vendors, and the lively energy of bustling tourists made an unforgettable impression on me. 

That day, I bought my first piece of turquoise from a pick-a-stone display at a trading post. That moment sparked a lifelong love affair—with turquoise, with silver, and with the spirit of the American West.

Over the years, my love of turquoise and silver never faded. I still remember the first inlaid silver ring I bought. Though my professional life took me into catering and special events production, the West kept calling. And I kept answering.

In my 60 years, I’ve packed up and moved more than 50 times—living in 12 states and 4 countries. And still, the West calls me back.

Today, I’ve traveled to more than 40 states selling gemstones and jewelry—often alongside my mother and business partner, Joyce, whose eye for turquoise and sterling silver is unmatched. She’s spent a lifetime collecting, studying, and honoring the history of the craft, and her wisdom has become the backbone of what we do. Joyce is more than the heart of our family—she’s the living soul of Turquoise Mustang.

Together, we’re building something lasting: a brand with deep Western roots, a reverence for the land, a nod to the heritage of the American West, and a standard of quality that leads the market.

We are Turquoise Mustang. And we invite you to be part of this great Western story.

	Leonard Piotrowski Co-Founder of the Turquoise Mustang
	Joyce Piotrowski Co-Founder of the Turquoise Mustang