History of Navajo Concha (Concho) Belts

The concha belt is among the most striking products of the Navajo silversmith’s art. Conchas (shells) as they were known in New Mexico, were large, oval or circular, silver brooch-like ornaments. Some of the Mexican bridles had silver conchas on the head stalls. Old Mexican bridle conchas used floral and geometric patterns. Hence the decorative [...]

What Are Wild Horse and Crazy Horse Stones?

There are some really interesting stones that are used in jewelry called “wild horse” and “crazy horse“. The one commonly called Wild Horse is usually found in Native American made jewelry. According to Stones N Silver:  “Wild Horse is the name given to this stone, whose geological name is magnesite which is a mixture magnesite/hematite. [...]

Discover Gaspeite-A Rare Green Beauty

Gaspeite is a rare semi-precious gemstone that has the most strikingly beautiful chartreuse to apple green color.  If you have never seen it, then you haven’t been shopping in places that sell Native American made jewelry.  Navajo silversmiths began using in their jewelry only a few years ago. Gaspeite is found in only two places [...]

Turquoise – Always in Style

The self-proclaimed world-renowned authority on color , Pantone has announced that turquoise is the color of the year for 2010! Pantone is in the business of inspiring design professionals with products, services and technology for colorful exploration and expression of creativity.  They eloquently describe turquoise as : “Combining the serene qualities of blue and the [...]

What Is The Real White Buffalo Turquoise?

Don’t Be Fooled By The Impostors! Many stones are called “white buffalo turquoise” and there is a lot of confusion as to what truly is a white turquoise. There is a widely quoted source that comes from the Miami Valley Mineral and Gem Club in their newsletter of January, 2002 Vol 48 #1. It relates [...]

Native American Cross Jewelry

The Diversity of Design in Indian Cross Jewelry Native American silversmiths make sterling silver crosses of many varied shapes and designs, usually set with stones that reflect all of nature’s color palette in shades of sky, earth, flora and sea. Crosses come in many shapes, but one that particularly reminds me of the southwest has [...]

Charmed By the Southwest

Did a 50 year old bracelet influence my path in life? This old charm bracelet of my mother’s is a jingly-jangly travelogue, mainly of her visits to Arizona in the 1950′s & ’60′s where my sister lived, and a short trip to Hawaii.  It has fascinated me since childhood. Mother was born in Montana.  Where [...]

Navajo Jewelry Museum Piece

Massive old pawn Navajo mans turquoise bracelet! The size and beauty of this old piece is really out of the ordinary.  You could never find turquoise this size in the mines today. We are very fortunate to have this bracelet in our collection of old pawn jewelry.  Old pawn is the most highly collected of [...]