Navajo Amber Pendant

Navajo multi inlaid stone and sterling silver bolo tie by Navajo silversmith Frank Chee. Stones of turquoise, blue jean lapis, lapis, spiny oy...

Beautiful piece of Carrico Mine turquoise carved in the shape of Plains chief with full headdress surrounded by shadow box, outlined by silver leaves, scrolls and coral nuggets top a...

Navajo concho belt with rectangular turquoise slabs, surrounded by small stones. Signed RS. The turquoise is from the Kingman Mine in Arizona. Marked ster...

Navajo sterling concho belt with coral nuggets, beads and rope surround. 11 conchos 2 1/2" with larger buckle 3" x 2 1/2" on black leather belt. Trunk pie...

Signed LMB. Marked sterling; 11 conchos total. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total Belt Length 62 1/2" Leather; conchos 2 1/4"D The word “concho” sometimes spelled “concha”, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell. Concho belts reportedly began appearing in Navajo country in the late 1860s. Other Native Americans including Zuni and Hopi also made traditional concho belts before long. Concho belts can cost into the thousands of dollars depending upon the craftsmanship, amount of silver, rarity of turquoise and stones used. Belts in the upper end of the price scales are usually made before the turn of the century. Buyers should deal with reputable dealers as many fakes and look-a-likes exist. A well-made belt with age to it will fetch a bigger premium and hold its value better. The earliest concho belts are now referred to as “First Phase” belts. This style of belt was made before Native silversmith had learned much about soldering. The conchos were hammered out from melted coins, cut, and filed into shape, engraved and a diamond shape slot was cut out of the middle of the concho, with a bar left across the center of the diamond shaped slot for the leather loop. Conchos that required no soldering are generally thought to be made from 1860-1880. Second phase conchos were done 1890-1900s in which silversmith began to solder. Third phase conchos is when you start to see the “butterfly” or “bow” appear between conchos and the use of turquoise as an adornment. A butterfly (bow) is a smaller concho in between bigger conchos. A belt with butterflies and sometimes turquoise would be from the early 1900s – 1930s. The timelines may slightly differentiate depending upon who you ask. Natives first had concho belts for personal use only, but around the turn of the last century, tourist demand had kicked in and a new outlet emerged. belts & buckles jewelry silver belts conchos navajo needlepoint southwest turquoise...

Shadowbox belt buckle with multi coral nuggets. Marked sterling silver. Made by Navajo silversmith J. Begay. Stunning oxblood coral stones surrounded by twisted rope border and sterl...

Corn Flower Pendant by Melanie Yazzie, Navajo, silver, pendant, contemporary Melanie A. Yazzie (Navajo-Diné) is a highly regarded multimedia artist known ...

Rare and large pendant created by Navajo jeweler, Michael Harvey Durkee. Pendant features channel set carved and polished ironwood with turquoise nuggets in a free form organic sett...

Outstanding and large early Navajo Indian sandcast cross pendant from the estate of a collector of unusual Native American silver. The front contains warm natural patina, and is smoo...

Exquisite Russian pendant, featuring a large, genuine, Baltic amber cabochon set in an ornate, open-back bezel on a stylish chain. Sterling Silver. Necklace length: 19.5 inches / 4...

Patrick Joseph, Ram cast silver pendant Melanie Yazzie Navajo aries Melanie A. Yazzie (Navajo-Diné) is a highly regarded multimedia artist known for her printmaking, paintings, scul...

Heart Plant, large pendant sterling silver designs by Melanie Yazzie Navajo This pendant will accommodate a chain or cord with the maximum clasp size of ...