Sterling Silver Stamped Bracelet with Turquoise Cabochon [SOLD]

Oscar Alexius has been a Navajo silversmith for over 25 years.  He is best known for helping to revive traditional, old-style Southwest Indian jewelry.  His stamp work is especially beautiful.  He formerly worked for Chet Jones at Zuni and later Don Tanner at Shush Yaz in Gallup.  Jewelry specialist Jay Evetts once commented “He does nice, heavy work with deep stamping.”  Alexius was awarded Best in Category, 1^st Place, fabricated matched sets, at the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in 2002.  Schaaf

This bracelet is an excellent example of fine work by Alexius.  It is heavy in silver content and has stamping of the finest quality.  The beautiful blue domed turquoise stone displays the smallest hint of copper matrix.  This is an exceptional bracelet.

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading: American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: from the estate of Hilda Street of The Streets of Taos

Did you know? Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for the month of December and the gem of the 11th anniversary.

The History and Lore of Turquoise

Turquoise was a ceremonial gem and a medium of exchange for Native American tribes in the southwestern US. They also used it in their jewelry and amulets. The Apaches believed that turquoise attached to a bow or firearm increased a hunter's or warrior's accuracy.

Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth: dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum. Turquoise is one of the world's most ancient gems. Archaeological excavations revealed that the rulers of ancient Egypt adorned themselves with turquoise jewelry, and Chinese artisans were carving it more than 3,000 years ago. Turquoise is also the national gem of Tibet, and has long been considered a stone that guarantees health, good fortune, and protection from evil. 

Turquoise is among the world's oldest jewelry. It was referred to by the Egyptians as Mefkat, which also means joy and delight.