Cast Silver Bracelet with Six Turquoise Settings

Echoes of the Past: The Timeless Journey of a (Probably) Navajo Silver Bracelet

From experience, we traditionally identify the origin of an unsigned item of jewelry based on the style of the work, whether it was made by a Dine of the Navajo Nation, or a jeweler of the Hopi Reservation, or an artist of Zuni or another New Mexico pueblo. Native artists of different Nations generally have followed the style previously identified with that Nation. This elegant cast silver bracelet weaves together tradition, beauty, and the spirit of the traditional jewelry of the Dine of the Navajo Nation. It is not signed with the name of the artist, however, cast silver jewelry is probably associated with the jewelers of the Navajo Nation.

At its core, the bracelet boasts a silver bar—a sturdy foundation that anchors the design. From this central bar, a graceful curve extends, clinging to the wrist with a gentle embrace. The edges ripple outward, mirroring the undulating contours of desert dunes. These curves are more than mere aesthetics; they echo the sacred geometry of the Navajo worldview—the interconnectedness of all things.

Look closely, and you'll discover interior curves of silver tracing delicate paths. Perhaps they represent the winding rivers that once flowed through this arid land or the journeys of the Diné people. These curves hold stories—of ancestors, of resilience, of survival.

But it's the turquoise gemstones that captivate your view. Six ovals, each in miniature, nestle along the top of the bracelet. Their color—a vivid cerulean—mirrors the endless New Mexico skies. These gems are not mere adornments; they are portals to the heavens. Each turquoise cabochon is cradled in serrated bezels.

What sets this bracelet apart is its lightness. The silver section, punctuated by openings, allows air and light to dance through. It's as if the bracelet breathes—a living entity that harmonizes with the wearer's pulse. The turquoise, too, contributes to this weightlessness. Their delicate presence invites you to dream.

The silver, burnished to a soft glow carries the patina of countless years. The bracelet's antique look is not accidental; it's intentional—a nod to the generations that have worn similar pieces. As you run your fingers along the edges, you feel the weight of memories.

When you wear this bracelet, you become a conduit between past and present. The jeweler, once known and now immortalized in silver, walks beside you.  You are part of a lineage—a story that began long before you and will continue beyond our time.  So it should be worn proudly.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR WRIST FOR BRACELET SIZE

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Diné Cast Silver Bracelet with Six Turquoise Settings is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: Indian Silver Navajo and Pueblo Jewelry by Margery Bedinger

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Navajo