Silver and #8 Turquoise Lady’s Ring [R]

We are well aware of the early silverwork at Zuni and Santo Domingo Pueblos, but do not often consider the other New Mexico pueblos as sources for silver jewelry, yet, silverwork was in evidence at most of them as early as 1879. Many references by Lummis, Bourke and others attest to one or two jewelers at each pueblo who worked in copper and silver. It is probable that the nearby Mexican silversmiths taught them.

This lady’s ring is more similar to pueblo silverwork than that of the Navajo. It is more dainty and lacy than the bold work by the Navajo. The circles and half-moons of silver that surround the stone are more Pueblo in style than Navajo. The specific pueblo of origin cannot be determined. The turquoise is from the #8 Mine.