Vintage Navajo Silver Ring with Unique Green Turquoise Cabochon [SOLD]

C4102-19-ring2.jpg

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Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Jewelry Rings
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Royston Turquoise, Sterling Silver
  • Size: ¾” x ⅝”;
    Ring Size: 5-¼”
  • Item # C4102.19
  • SOLD

It is the stone setting in this Navajo silver ring that draws the eye. A light blue streak flows through the dark green cabochon in this mid-20th century ring. The unique stone is set on a split shank stamped with feathers as was characteristic of the Fred Harvey Company. The ring is unsigned as was common practice for the time.  

The stone itself is two toned—a rich mossy green color infused with light blue swatches and includes a warm golden matrix. It is for these reasons we believe this stone may be Royston turquoise.

In the late 19th century, when Fred Harvey opened his hotels along the *Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway from Chicago to Los Angeles, he stocked his gift shops with merchandise that was created with the esthetic in mind of the tourists who were traveling. The pieces that were made especially for the traveler to take home as a souvenir of their Southwest adventure were more delicate. They were not as expensive as traditional Navajo jewelry and appealed more to the tastes of the Southwest travelers. The souvenir pieces used fine, intricate stamp work to decorate the silver with added pieces of turquoise.


Reverse of the silver band.Condition: this Vintage Navajo Silver Ring with Unique Green Turquoise Cabochon is in good condition

Provenance: from an extensive Southwest Indian Jewelry collection in Colorado

Recommended Reading:

- White Metal Universe: Jewelry from the Fred Harvey Collection by Cynthia Davies

- Skystone and Silver: The Collectors Book of Southwestern Indian Jewelry by Carl Rosnek and Joseph Stacey

*AT&SF: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (reporting mark ATSF), often abbreviated as Santa Fe or AT&SF, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. Chartered in February 1859, the railroad reached the Kansas-Colorado border in 1873 and Pueblo, Colorado, in 1876. To create a demand for its services, the railroad set up real estate offices and sold farm land from the land grants that it was awarded by Congress. Despite the name, its main line never served Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the terrain was too difficult; the town ultimately was reached by a branch line from Lamy.

Relative Links: Fred Harvey CompanyAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayFred HarveyNavajoSouthwest Indian Jewelry

Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Jewelry Rings
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Royston Turquoise, Sterling Silver
  • Size: ¾” x ⅝”;
    Ring Size: 5-¼”
  • Item # C4102.19
  • SOLD

C4102-19-ring2.jpgC4102-19-large2.jpg Click on image to view larger.