Old Pawn Bracelets

GHAN-DANCER-BRAC-EB27

Signed "GH", this vintage Navajo Ghan Dancer bracelet is created with heavy silver and beautiful floral motif on each side.  Circa 1970's.  The dancer is inlaid with turquoise, coral and jet in a background of mother of pearl.  The center width of the bracelet is 2 1/8".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 3/16" opening is 5 3/4".      $850

OP-TURQ-BRAC-EB42

Small woman's bracelet with a wonderfully distinctive piece of turquoise in a setting 1 1/4" wide.  The total circumference of the bracelet, including the opening is 5 1/2 ".      $225

MICKEY-MOUSE-BRAC-EB43

Fabulous 1979 Mickey Mouse bracelet by Zuni artist Veronica P. Nastacio. Veronica has become recognized as a top-notch contemporary jeweler, and while she draws on Zuni silverworking and lapidary forms and techniques, her work is characterized by a high degree of innovation and individual creative license, making her work highly collectible.  Veronica achieved notoriety at a young age in the 1970s for her use of Mickey Mouse images on pins, bracelets, rings and necklaces. At that time, she worked with husband Amelio Nastacio, and she signed her work VERONICA P. NASTACIO, ZUNI (year).  This bracelet is inlaid with jet, mother of pearl, turquoise, coral, shell and amber.  Mickey stands 2 ' tall and the total circumference of the bracelet is 6".   $675

LARGE-TURQ-BRAC-EB23

Stunning, wide, heavy three stone turquoise bracelet circa 1970's.  bracelet is 2 1/2" wide.  Note the many details the unknown artist put onto their design!  Leaves, raindrops, stamping, twisted wire, serrated bezels and more.  Total circumference is 6".   $1050

TOURIST-BRAC-EB41

Fred Harvey style bracelet made in Mexico for the tourists to the southwest featuring various stamping designs.    $75

2 ROW-ZUNI-NEEDLEPOINT-BRAC-EB37

Lovely double row turquoise needlepoint bracelet, unsigned circa 1970's.  Bracelet is 3/4" wide with a total circumference of 6" .   $199

CROSSED ARROWS-BRAC-EB39

Well made Fred Harvey bracelet with a great round green turquoise center piece.  Bracelet is 1" wide with a total circumference of 6".   SOLD

RAINBOW-MAN-BRAC-EB34

Signed "E.A./Zuni", this is a vintage inlaid Rainbow Man bracelet circa 1970's.  The center width of the bracelet is 1 5/8".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/8" opening is 6 1/2".      $489

PETITE-POINT-CLUSTER-BRAC-EB32

Forty year old petite point and snake eye turquoise cluster bracelet, unsigned.  Center stone is cracked by appears to have been stabilized with an adherent.  There is one other stone that has a chip out of it, none the less, all stones are secure.   The center width of the bracelet is 2".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/8" opening is 7".      $795 $395 as is.

SNAKE-EYE-CLUSTER-BRAC-EB25

Beautiful large snake eye green turquoise cluster bracelet, unsigned circa 1970's.    The center width of the bracelet is 2 1/2".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/4" opening is 6 1/2".      $550

VINTAGE-NAVAJO-BRAC-EB29

Heavy bracelet circa 1970's with five large hand carved and shaped turquoise nuggets, possibly from the Fox mine in Nevada.  Note the unique strong artisan bezels with matching design employed on the outside edges of the cuff.  The center width of the bracelet is 1 1/2".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/2" opening is 7".  Unsigned.     $950

PETITE-POINT-CLUSTER-BRAC-EB33

Circa 1970's, signed "RHE" with the R facing backwards, this petite point turquoise cluster bracelet with a circle of snake eyes in the center is in excellent condition.   The center width of the bracelet is 2 1/4".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/4" opening is 6 3/4".      $650

OP-NAVAJO-BRAC-EB36

Lovely turquoise cuff bracelet with beautiful leaves, raindrops and bezel surrounding a blue-green turquoise with golden matrix and spider-webbing.   Circa 1970's.  The center width of the bracelet is 1 1/4".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 3/8" opening is 6 1/2".      $395

FIVE-STONE-BRAC-EB28

Unsigned, circa 1970's, this turquoise bracelet is rather crudely made, giving it that distinctive hand made character.  The turquoise stones range in color and have a nice smooth finish on them.  The center width of the bracelet is 1 1/8".  The total circumference of the bracelet including the 1 1/4" opening is 6 1/2".      $475

Excellent Spiderweb Turquoise Bracelet by Navajo Roie Jaque

OP-BRAC-SPIDERWEB-RJ

This beautiful bracelet by Navajo artist Roie Jaque is set with an exquisite piece of spider web matrix turquoise that is 30 mm by 21 mm.  The complete setting is 1 1/2" tall by 1" wide.  The sterling silver is high quality and very sturdy in feel.  The total circumference of the bracelet including the opening is 6 1/2".  The opening is almost 1 1/4".  This bracelet could be carefully adjusted slightly smaller or larger.  The bracelet weighs 29 grams.

Spiderweb Turquoise is a rare turquoise that has a matrix (the lines that run through it) in the form of a spiderweb's. Most American turquoise that has spiderwebing comes from Nevada, however, it is also found in Arizona and Colorado as well.

Matrix in turquoise is basically the remnants of the rock that "hosted" the turquoise as it formed through weathering and oxidation processes over millions of years.  Black matrix tends to be favored, as it creates a nice contrast. 

One of the most expensive turquoises on the market is called Lander Blue.  The matrix it has is very similar to the one in this bracelet. Spiderweb turquoise jewelry is considered to be some of the most valuable jewelry made in the Southwest by those who appreciate turquoise and turquoise collectors. $249

Vintage 1940-50's Old Pawn Navajo Collector's Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

There are nine natural turquoise stones on this bracelet that are in a beautiful range of colors from blues to greens. Untreated turquoise usually turns greener with age.  Circa 1940-50's, this is a real collector's item. Each stone was individually set in a saw-tooth bezel, surrounded with twisted silver wire and then soldered to the ribs of the cuff. The edges of the cuff are hand stamped.

The width of the bracelet at the center top is 1 1/8".  Total circumference is 7 1/4" including the opening.  The opening is 1 1/8". Inside dimension from side to side is 2 1/2" or 65 mm.  There are no defects and all stones are secure with no cracks.  But you can see in one photo that one of the stones has a small hole in it next to the bezel.  It is unsigned, which is normal for its age.  Due to the heaviness of the silver, and the way it is constructed, it is not possible to adjust the size of this bracelet.  It weighs almost 107 grams!

This bracelet has all the signs of being a reservation made piece for a member of the tribe.  When a Navajo man or woman wanted a piece of jewelry he went to a silversmith, usually a relative.  The piece was made to order and scaled to the wearer's size and build.  In most cases the buyer furnished the makings-silver, turquoise, old jewelry or whatever was needed.  From John Adair's book The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths:

 "Sheep, goats, or calves are common forms of payment, and by this exchange many smiths (jewelry makers) have built up large flocks.  Lacking cash, the buyers often secure credit at the trading post some desired object for the smith.  Turquoise or silver may be given for the jewelry, or the buyer may render some service to the smith, such as working in his fields or herding his sheep"...In summary, old pawn racks were rich and splendid sources of jewelry created by the finest Navajo silversmiths of their day, for their people, and uncontaminated by taste and influence of alien people and cultures."

If articles placed in pawn are not redeemed within the contractual length of time, the jewelry becomes "dead pawn" and may be sold by the trader.  $2,200

This is a beautiful handcrafted old pawn bracelet set with seven square and rectangular genuine turquoise stones, circa 1950's.  Nice stamping work around both edges and exquisite twisted wire work. 

The beautiful turquoise is from the Smoky Valley Mine in Nevada. The Smoky Valley was relatively small and you rarely see this turquoise any more.  As you can see, the turquoise is a lovely medium blue color with very little matrix.

The total circumference of the bracelet is 7".  The opening is 1 1/2". It is about 7/8" wide at the center.  There are no defects and it is unsigned, which is typical of jewelry from this era.  $499

1950's Child's Size Petit Point Cluster Bracelet

Child's size petite point cluster bracelet, circa 1950's. 

This bracelet is in excellent condition. None of the stones are cracked, and all are very stable, although it does look like a few have been replaced over the years. The width of the bracelet on top is 1 5/8".  The total circumference of the bracelet is 5 3/4" including the opening.  The opening is 1". Inside from side to side is about 2 1/16" or 52 mm.  There are no defects and it is unsigned.  The weight is 34 grams.  A  small amount of adjusting to the size of this bracelet might be possible. $325

Native American Sterling Silver Bracelet Set With Rare High Quality Gem Grade Chrysocolla

This lovely bracelet is circa 1960-70's.  The top of the bracelet is 1 3/4" wide.  The total circumference is  6 5/8" including the opening of 1 5/8".  Inside dimension is 60 mm from side to side.  The chrysocolla gemstone is 35 mm by 23 mm.

It is in excellent condition, very well made and signed inside with a J over a feather. 

Chrysocolla has such an attractive blue-green colour and this one is really exceptional.  This bracelet has a large high quality gem grade stone that displays a bit of translucency to it.  Chrysocolla of this quality is very highly prized.  American sources of this stone are Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. 

Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise, as it has many of the same visual qualities.  But it is nothing like turquoise, past the visual standpoint.  When chrysocolla is discovered in a greenish blue color, like this one, it is considered to be a very expensive gemstone as compared to other stones. This gemstone is rarely minded today, which is another reasons for its high value.

Many people believe this gemstone can be the messenger of peace, cordiality, wisdom and rationality. It is also believed to keep a person’s mind at peace and prohibits violent thoughts to cross his/her mind and reduces nervousness and irritation.  $495 $375

Early Old Pawn Original Turquoise Cuff Bracelet Vintage 1940's Rustic

This is a very early bracelet, circa 1940's, and whoever made this bracelet was not the most accomplished silversmith in the country, but the fact that it is unrefined is what makes this bracelet so charming and unique.  The stones are old Kingman Mine turquoise that display the natural white matrix that is commonly found in this turquoise.  The stones are a lighter and more softer blue than you see nowadays because most Kingman is dyed a deep blue. 

This bracelet is a real collector's piece. 

I firmly believe it was made on the reservation as a special order for a tribe member by a silversmith using crude tools and was later pawned, although I have no pawn ticket to prove it. 

For its age, this bracelet is in excellent condition. None of the stones are cracked, and all are very stable. The width of the bracelet on top is 2".  The stone in the center is 20 mm by 12 mm.  The total circumference of the bracelet is 6 1/2" including the opening.  The opening is 1". Inside from side to side is 2 3/8" or 62 mm.  There are no defects and it is unsigned.  The weight is 81.3 grams and tests for sterling.  Adjusting the size of this bracelet is not recommended.  The silver ribs in the cuff are thick and would be hard to bens, you also don't want to risk unseating a stone. 

When a Navajo man or woman wanted a piece of jewelry they went to a silversmith, often a relative.  The piece was made to order and scaled to the wearer's size and build.  In most cases the buyer furnished the makings-silver, turquoise, old jewelry or whatever was needed.  From John Adair's book The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths:  "Sheep, goats, or calves are common forms of payment, and by this exchange many smiths (jewelry makers) have built up large flocks.  Lacking cash, the buyers often secure credit at the trading post some desired object for the smith.  Turquoise or silver may be given for the jewelry, or the buyer may render some service to the smith, such as working in his fields or herding his sheep"...

The Kingman Mine is in Arizona and was first mined by Indians before the Europeans came to America.  Because the matrix in this turquoise is naturally white, it is usually dyed black and in the early days they used shoe polish.  I think there was some attempt to dye the matrix in the stones in this bracelet, but over time it wore off and now what you see is primarily the natural white matrix.  $925

Rare Vintage Old Nevada Green Turquoise Variscite Cuff Bracelet 1970's

If you are tired of the typical blue turquoise that you see everywhere, then this is the bracelet for you.  From the 1970's, this authentic Native American made bracelet features a beautiful, almost heart-shaped, stone that is an old, rare turquoise/variscite.  It is from Nevada where most of the green turquoises come from, and may be from the famous Orvil Jack Mine. 

The bracelet is very well made with thick ribs of silver that form the cuff which are not at all easy to bend.  The stone has a great spider-webbed matrix that is a dark grey-brown. 

The setting is 1 1/2" by 1 1/2".  The total circumference of the bracelet is 6 1/2" including the opening.  The opening is 1 1/4". Inside from side to side is 2 3/8" or 60 mm.  There are no defects and it is unsigned.  The weight is 44.2 grams.  Adjusting this bracelet would be difficult as the silver is very thick.

Variscite is a relatively rare phosphate mineral. It is sometimes confused with turquoise, however variscite is usually greener in color.  It is considered a semi-precious stone, like turquoise, and appreciation for it has grown in recent years as people are now looking for green stones to add to their jewelry collections.   $229

Wonderful Vintage Old Turquoise Cuff Bracelet 1940's Great Color Heavy Silver

From the 1940's, this is truly a beautiful authentic Native American made bracelet in excellent condition.  The stones are a wonderful mix of different natural turquoises that range in color from a lovely light blue with very little matrix to a forest green that has a black matrix like tiger stripes!  A bracelet of this age and distinction is for the serious collector, one who can appreciate its antiquity, construction and originality.  These museum-quality bracelets are increasingly hard to come by and every one is such a unique, one-of-a-kind item.

The center setting width of the bracelet is 1 1/2" with a hand-cut 36mm by 25 mm stone.  The total circumference of the bracelet is 6 5/8" including the opening.  The opening is 1 1/4". Inside from side to side is 2 1/2" or 62 mm.  There are no defects and it is unsigned.  The weight is 90.5 grams!  Adjusting this bracelet is totally not recommended.  The silver is very thick, which would make it hard to do, and it could compromise the security of the stones, which are solidly stable at this time.  $1100

Our Most Fabulous Piece!

Five fabulous gem grade Morenci turquoise stones adorn this incredible bracelet made with the thickest silver I have ever seen in a bracelet. Circa 1940-50's, this is a real collector's item.  It weighs over 125 grams and is 1" wide.  These stones are worth hundreds of dollars.  Words fail at describing the beauty of this piece; the pictures tell it all!

The total circumference of the bracelet 7" including the opening.  The opening is almost 1 1/4". Inside dimension from side to side is 2 3/8" or 62 mm.  There are no defects, although you can see in one photo that one of the end stones has a small scratch on the surface.  It is signed with an s-shaped symbol (see photo) that I have not been able to link to a particular silversmith.  Due to the thickness of the silver it is not possible to adjust the size of this bracelet.  $2500

The silver work is quite detailed and the Stormy Mountain turquoise stone is exceptionally large.  Stormy Mountain turquoise is a dark blue turquoise that is suitably named for its distinctive blotchy black chert matrix that resembles storm clouds.  It is a very collectible American classic that you do not often see.  The mine is located in Elko County, Nevada.  Next to the turquoise is a piece of natural branch coral.
 

The total circumference of the bracelet, including the opening, is  6 1/4".  The opening is 1".  The width of the bracelet on top is 2 3/4".  The stone is 53 mm by 39 mm.  It is stamped inside "CHIEF".  There is another word under one of the silver ribs that cannot be made out.  A small amount of adjustment could be made to allow the bracelet to be larger.  SOLD

1950's Petite Point Cluster Bracelet

This is a delightful bracelet, circa 1950's.  It is a classic teardrop cluster bracelet.  The stones are old Kingman Mine turquoise that display the natural white matrix that is commonly found in this turquoise.  The stones are a lighter and more softer blue than you see nowadays because most Kingman is dyed a deep blue.  Because it is unsigned, I cannot tell whether it is Navajo or Zuni as they both made similar bracelets.

This bracelet is in excellent condition. None of the stones are cracked, and all are very stable, although it does look like a few have been replaced over the years. The width of the bracelet on top is 1 5/8".  The total circumference of the bracelet is 6 5/8" including the opening.  The opening is 1 1/8". Inside from side to side is about 2 3/8" or 61 mm.  There are no defects and it is unsigned.  The weight is 45.7 grams.  A  small amount of adjusting to the size of this bracelet might be possible.

The Kingman Mine is in Arizona and was first mined by Indians before the Europeans came to America.  Because the matrix in this turquoise is naturally white, it is usually dyed black and in the early days they used shoe polish.  I think there was some attempt to dye the matrix in the stones in this bracelet, but over time it wore off and now what you see is primarily the natural white.  The fact that the dye used was not permanent is a very good sign of its age.

This is the perfect lady's bracelet - not too big and not too small; not too heavy yet definitely sturdy. The silver is not lightweight.  A wonderful vintage piece that anyone would be proud to wear.  SOLD