Miscellaneous Jewelry

This vintage brooch almost didn't make it out of the photographer's hands.  We think it was made by a Navajo artisan in the 1950s or 1960s.  The spider has natural turquoise in the center of the body and it is reaching for the detailed moth.  Two flies dangle from the outer web.  If you look closely you will see the wings and body are made from tiny threads of sterling silver coiled and coiled until they are almost solid.  This broach was part of a larger collection of vintage jewelry.  The pin bar in the back can be seen in two of the photos.  This is an amazing piece!

Web size: 1.875" diameter - Spider: .75" L x .675" W - Flies: .75" L 

Keep your money in style with Navajo handmade money clip by Shirley Skeets.  Set in sterling sliver, Kingman turquoise is set in a shadowbox in the center.  Impeccable stamp work is on each side.

Size: 1.75" L x .75" W

This seems to be an older sterling silver pin and it is marked "Francis" on the back.  We think it may be an older Francis Begay piece.  We love the detailed face and stamped rays on each side of the turquoise.

Size: 1.375" H x 1.675" L

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made this well detailed Kokopelli pin with a 1" pin back.  It has a bright turquoise stone set at the waist.

Size: 1.75" H x .75" W

These eight sterling silver concho buttons would look great on a jacket, shirt, or strung on leather for a hatband.  Not handmade or Native American made, these have been casted.

Size: 1.125" L x .875" W

Vintage sterling silver buckles like this don't become available very often.  The stones are natural turquoise and red coral surrounded by two large silver leaves and scroll work.  The oxidization (black part) of the silver behind the stones, leaves, and scroll work has been worn off in some places.  The outer edge is hand-stamped.

Size: 2.25" H x 3.125 Long - Belt loop will fit up to a 1.75" wide belt

Zuni jeweler, Tracy Bowekaty, set natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in a delicate sterling silver saw-tooth bezel surrounded by twisted silver wire.  From each side of the three silver domes on the bottom, stylized silver leaves hold the corn.  The corn kernels are detailed with lapis, malachite, red coral, sugilite, and jet.  The bale is also on the back, along with a .75" long pin with safety catch.  Tracy's initials are engraved onto the back.  

Size: 1.125" H x 1" W

What a great way to keep track of your money.   Navajo jeweler, Wilbur Myers, fabricated this money clip and set turquoise and red coral into sterling silver bezels.  The feather, scrolls, and dots are all sterling silver.

Size: 1.675" L x .75" W

This striking pin/pendant is mosaic inlay made by Mary Louise Tafoya.  Like so much of Mary Louise's jewelry, it reminds us of so much of what we see in nature, waves, clouds, mountains, snow, and sunsets.  Her creations are definite conversation starters!

Size: 1.5" H x 2.5" W

This Navajo handmade shadowbox bolo tie has two sky blue natural Kingman turquoise stones set in the palm of the paw.  The back of the sterling silver shadow box has been oxidized which turns it black and dramatically sets off the stones.  The tips are sterling silver and the braided black leather is 42" long.  Imagine wearing it to all the events this year!  TN" and "Sterling" stamped on the back.  More about bears below.

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W - Braided leather 42"

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

This sterling silver overlay Butterfly Maiden was made by Hopi jeweler, Frank Lahaleon.  She is so beautiful!  She has a feather tied into her hair, face paint, and is holding a bow with two ears of corn.  Her dress has traditional designs and she is wearing mocassins with leg wraps.  Her butterfly wings have traditional designs which include water, lightening, mountains, snow, and whirlwinds.  It has a 1.25" pin on the back, as well as a loop for a chain.  More about the overlay technique below.

Size: 3" H x 1.5" W

Hopi Overlay  Overlay jewelry is made by sawing out two sheets of sterling silver or gold the same size.  Hopi jewelers texture the bottom sheet with hatch marks.  It is then oxidized to turn it black.  The design is drawn on to the top sheet of silver which is then carefully sawed out with a fine jeweler's saw. The edges are filed smooth.  The top piece is soldered on to the bottom piece.  Sometimes, there are many small pieces that are also soldered on to the bottom sheet of silver.  It is then polished to a high sheen.  Overlay is very labor intensive!

These sterling silver Navajo handmade watch tips are beautifully made with two denim lapis stones set on each side.  This watch is included, but we aren't sure if it works.  It may just need a new battery.  And, the buyer would also want to get a band which is easy to purchase from a watch shop.  It is hallmarked on the back with an A.

Watch Tips Size: 1.5" L x 1.125" W

Do you love turtles?  Then you will love this sterling silver pin by Navajo silversmith, S. Yazzie!  The eyes are stamped, and the feet and tail are detailed.  Our favorite part is the eight repousse crescent moons on the shell, the turquoise in the center, and the detailed stamp work that remind us of moon rays in front of each moon.  The piece is slightly domed and has a pin back.  

Size: 1.875" H x 1.375" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.