Turquoise/Native American jewelry

[alanfgag]

An antique Isleta Pueblo necklace + antique hat. Makes me feel like a young'un.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Navajo Silversmith Will Barnes is known for his stamping work & produces some beautiful cigar band & old style concho rings. When I saw the heavy shank stamping & the castellated crown in 925k Sterling Silver with the Morenci II turquoise in my ring size, I had to have it.

The turquoise vain of the Morenci II mine in Greenlee county, AZ produced turquoise that was more green in color than the other Morenci mines. All the Morenci mines produce turquoise with heavy silicates & black pyrite inclusions (fools gold). When polished they reflect light like silver & gold. The Morenci II vain played out in the 1960's. The others are still being mined.

 

[dh66]

Navajo Silversmith Will Barnes is known for his stamping work & produces some beautiful cigar band & old style concho rings. When I saw the heavy shank stamping & the castellated crown in 925k Sterling Silver with the Morenci II turquoise in my ring size, I had to have it.

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Impressive piece of work! That stone is truly something!!!

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The turquoise vain of the Morenci II mine in Greenlee county, AZ produced turquoise that was more green in color than the other Morenci mines. All the Morenci mines produce turquoise with heavy silicates & black pyrite inclusions (fools gold). When polished they reflect light like silver & gold. The Morenci II vain played out in the 1960's. The others are still being mined.

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[Hurricane Jack]

^Thanks Dale. I'm liking some of the cigar band rings too. Liking the work of Navajo Silversmith Derrick Gordon.

 

[alanfgag]

Stunning piece of turquoise.

 

[alanfgag]

A couple of tourist-era works at my right hand today.

 

[Bamaboots]

A couple of tourist-era works at my right hand today.

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Two great pieces. Love the stamp work.

 

[alanfgag]

Wearing today a small ring, unmarked, with a turquoise stone from the #8 mine in Eureka County, Nevada.

 

[alanfgag]

An Isleta Pueblo historic era necklace, c. 1910. It's very enjoyable to wear as well as to own.

 

[alanfgag]

Spent some quiet time on Saturday with a soft cloth cleaning up some Navajo pearls. Such beautiful works of silver.

 

[Bamaboots]

Such beautiful works of silver.

Yes, sir. They sure are. Thanks for sharing, Alan.

 

[alanfgag]

I have two similar rings from unknown silversmiths that feature handsome rectangular pieces of turquoise from Eureka County Nevada's No.8 mine. It produced a fine spiderweb turquoise with a recognizable signature during its years of operation from the late 1920s to the mid 1970s. I posted the smaller ring a few posts above. Here is its larger brother, with a closer look courtesy of macro mode on the iPhone 13 pro. The color below is pretty accurate, though better natural light would show the matrix tinged more towards brown.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Not marked as an Unger Bros or William Kerr but thought to be of that era. Destined to be resized, remounted, or used as a kerchief slide.

 

[alanfgag]

Here is a newer acquisition... an unmarked bracelet of unknown era - 1930s to 1950s is my guess. The silver work interested me - no stamping at all but lots of twisted wire and beautifully done file/chisel work. The stone was identified by the (knowledgable) seller as stormy mountain turquoise. I can see the resemblance, but that Nevada mine was found in the 1970s and I think this bracelet predates that. Anyhow, I thought it was a handsome traditional style cuff. On the heavy side, but it wears easily.

 

[alanfgag]

180 degrees on this one... an example of Diné modernism by a master. Kenneth Begay lived from 1913-1977 and was an important force in modernist directions in native art. The photo below shows Begay (right) with his cousin Allen Kee and the original owners of White Hogan (Scottsdale) Virginia and John Bonnell. This piece was likely produced c.1960.

 

[RossRYoung]

I rarely ever get notifications for this thread, makes me wonder what else I’ve missed lately!

Circa 1910 Navajo made squash blossom that I picked up as a honoring piece for my grandmother.

 

[alanfgag]

Wonderful piece! How have you dated it to c.1910?

 

[RossRYoung]

Thanks Alan! It’s the sellers claim, Mark Sublette. It came with a decent amount of information and provenance regarding the original owner but no idea how the date estimation came to be.

 

[alanfgag]

Thanks Alan! It’s the sellers claim, Mark Sublette. It came with a decent amount of information and provenance regarding the original owner but no idea how the date estimation came to be.

He's recognized as a knowledgable dealer and very well might be right. I think the parts of many squash blossom necklaces were likely assembled and disassembled and assembled again. The stamping, decorative filing on the blossom posts and turquoise cabochons suggest a 1930s piece to me. The fox chain is certainly later but it might have been restrung more than once over the years. It has a wonderful look. It has great size - is it heavy?

I have a new (old) necklace waiting to receive. I love these pieces - have to learn how to wear them more often. Bracelets and rings are easy - necklaces a little more complicated for me.

 

[RossRYoung]

He's recognized as a knowledgable dealer and very well might be right. I think the parts of many squash blossom necklaces were likely assembled and disassembled and assembled again. The stamping, decorative filing on the blossom posts and turquoise cabochons suggest a 1930s piece to me. The fox chain is certainly later but it might have been restrung more than once over the years. It has a wonderful look. It has great size - is it heavy?

I have a new (old) necklace waiting to receive. I love these pieces - have to learn how to wear them more often. Bracelets and rings are easy - necklaces a little more complicated for me.

I greatly appreciate the notes and feedback Alan. It is indeed heavy weighing in at 350 grams. I would be just as happy with 1930’s too, and I am excited to see what you have on the way! Thanks again my friend.