Sterling Silver Bracelet with Pump Drilled Turquoise Stones [SOLD]

Before the Southwestern Indians used silver for adornment, they made and wore necklaces composed primarily of turquoise. They would take nuggets of turquoise, shape and polish them, drill holes into the stones and string them on cotton thread. Some of these early necklaces had hundreds of pieces of turquoise. After jewelers began working in silver, these necklaces sometimes became a source of decorative material for sterling jewelry. Silversmiths would take pieces from the necklace, with the drill holes in them, and set them in silver.

This vintage Navajo bracelet has two stones that have been “repurposed.”  They are set on either side of a beautiful robin’s egg blue oval cabochon. Small silver ball elements and lace-like stampwork complete the bracelet. It dates from the early part of the 20th century.

Condition: this Sterling Silver Bracelet with Pump Drilled Stones is in good condition, the stones are intact.

Provenance: From a Colorado collection

Recommended Reading: Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair