Spectacular Turquoise Set Zuni Concho Belt

Circa 1970s, 14k, by Wayne & Virginia Quam, Zuni, American. This gorgeous ring by renowned Zuni silversmiths, Virginia and Wayne Quam, is a rare gold (14k) version. Demonstrating a s...

Circa 1980s, 18k, Switzerland. These diamond hoop or circle earrings are the consummate show stopper. Set with 15.80 carats of brilliant white diamonds (F color, VS clarity), the cen...

Circa 2000s, 18k, Italy. At nearly four inches long, these glamourous chandelier earrings have a look that is ALL catwalk ALL the time! Take them for a stroll on the sidewalk, strut the boardwalk …perhaps the board room if you dare. Beautifully made in richly-hued 18k gold, their opulently baroque...

Circa 1960s, 18k, Swiss. These diamond and pearl earrings are breathtaking. The look is devastatingly feminine, a white diamond classic, think Grace Kelly! Their sophisticated unst...

Circa 1880s, 14k, American. This wearable bangle, borrowed from the Victorians, celebrates America's love affair with revival aesthetics. The look is wonderfully interpretive with a...

Circa 1890s, 18k. Beyond charming and past perfection is where this bracelet lives. The turquoise is a visual pop against the rich 18k yellow gold. Feminine and ornate, this bracele...

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

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...

Carved ivory bighorns with Blue Kingman Mine turquoise. Wonderful patina. Original leather; nine conchos total. Signed A.J.M. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total belt length 56"; buckle 3 1/2" x 5"; conchos 3" x 4" 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...

Zuni Sleeping Beauty turquoise and dark red coral buckle. Nuggets surrounded by twisted rop border with stylized thunderbird with wings and tail feathers....

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...

Navbajo Kingman turquoise and bear claw bracelet with small nugget of red coral. Stones and claw set in sterling silver surrounded by leaves, scrolls and bea...