Fred Harvey Style Bracelet with Green Turquoise Cabs [SOLD]

The name turquoise is derived from a French word meaning "Turkish stone," so named because it was introduced to Europe by Venetian traders who purchased turquoise at Turkish bazaars. It was valued by ancient inhabitants of the Americas as well as by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese.

Turquoise mines were in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado, and the pueblo people mined it for their own use and for trade.  Turquoise ranges in color from light blue to deep blue with shades of green. Used by silversmiths in the early 20th century, green stones were popular with the tourists.

This five-stone bracelet is an early example of jewelry made to sell to the adventurer traveling to the American Southwest in the early part of the 20th Century. Each deep green stone is framed with elaborate hand stamping. Small silver drops are set on the edges, in between the stones. The shanks have stamped images of a standing man, which symbolizes human life, and a rising sunray, which was a symbol for consistency. Below the rising sun is a dragonfly.

This bracelet was brought to us along with a pair of single-row bracelets (our Item # C4018A - click here to view) of the same vintage and same shade of green turquoise. Those two traditionally served as guards for this one.

Condition: The Fred Harvey Style Bracelet with Green Turquoise Cabs is in very good condition. The bezel surrounding one green cab is slightly crinkled but is not readily noticeable.

Provenance: From the collection of a gentleman from Albuquerque

Recommended Reading: Navajo Trading: The End of An Era by Willow Powers