Featured Navajo turquoise and silver cuff bracelet, need your opinions.

Hi all!

Though out of my comfort zone, because I saw here lots of discussions about N.A jewelry, I was able to identify this monster cuff as Navajo and maybe what is called "old pawn" piece!

Full of hope, because it was on French Ebay, described as malachite and in costume jewelry category, auction beginning at 20€, I sniped it for a high bid!

Just arrived

88 grams,
Front is:
7cm width
6cm height
no marks at all, heavy patina.

Maybe you can confirm my sentiment, and any hint as for the value if you are in USA (main market for them, I think!).

@Any Jewelry and specialists, Thank you!

 

No marks at all? Maybe under the tarnish inside?

 

Nothing.... even not a scratched name or letters

 

Leads one to believe it's not NA. It's a gorgeous piece. I had a lot of turquoise & silver jewelry at one time. My ex and I were friends with a local jewelry artisan. He was Seminole and retired from being a phone company exec in NYC and started making jewelry. He and his wife traveled to Arizona every year to buy chunks of turquoise and occasional old pieces. I've handed most of it on to younger family members because I don't wear it any more

 

Oh! You must have had beautiful turquoise jewelry!
Here in France we only encounter "hippy" or souvenirs from those who traveled in SW USA... So unusual to see in flesh for me!!!

 

Gorgeous chunk of turquoise with some pyrite inclusions, and it looks good on you.
Not marked means older, vintage. Vintage NA jewellery is rarely marked.

I would say yours is Navajo and 1970s, maybe early 80s, before pieces were generally marked.

Old Pawn or Dead Pawn refers to pawned jewellery that wasn't redeemed, and could be sold after a certain amount of time. Those are always pieces that were worn by the Navajo and other tribespeople themselves.
Because they generally couldn't get bank loans, especially the Navajo, they pawned their jewellery if they needed money. That jewellery was often big and chunky, but not all big and chunky pieces were pawned, most were made to be sold to non-Navajo.
So, while a stunning piece, no indication it is Old Pawn.

 

What's the emoji for totally jealous ?

That's a gorgeous monster

 

Thank you AJ!
Even if it looks good on me, it was only for modeling the actual size
Way too big for my wrist, it turns
It will ends in the Hubby's eBay listings at lebelescargot
That's why I need some references for pricing it correctly (was thinking 500€)

 

Yes, it needs to fit snugly, otherwise the weight of the stone causes it to turn. Maybe higher up your arm, with some other cuffs below it? With NA jewellery it is a case of 'go wild'.

I think that's fine.

 

I agree with Aj. It is most likely NA. Classic design. Nice stone.
History of Old Pawn Jewelry
Old Pawn jewelry gets its name from its history. Starting in the early 1900s, pawning jewelry was a common practice between Native Americans and traders. Native Americans pawned jewelry in times of need, meaning most pieces were family heirlooms containing valuable turquoise and silver. Jewelry was a way for Native Americans to carry their wealth with them and have financial support in times of need.

How to Identify Old Pawn Jewelry
Gemstones
Turquoise is the most common stone found in Old Pawn jewelry. Natural turquoise is porous and will change to a greener color, so it isn’t uncommon for authentic pieces to have discolored stones.

Weight
Older jewelry pieces will be heavy, as they contain a high amount of silver. This commonality in Navajo jewelry is easy to spot in person. Newer Old Pawn jewelry will be lighter and may not contain as much silver as their older counterparts.

Craftsmanship and Design
Authentic Old Pawn jewelry features complex construction, intricate designs, and large turquoise stones. Pieces from circa 1945 will not have owners’ initials or makers’ marks, which is why it’s important to pay attention to other clues to indicate authenticity.

Wear and Tear
Authentic Old Pawn jewelry will have a natural gray patina, indicating age. It takes decades for the patina to develop and may appear grayer in dry climates like the southwest. Humidity will add a darker, blacker patina. Patina typically isn’t buffed off in order to preserve its history and value.
https://www.securcareselfstorage.com/blog/how-to-identify-old-pawn-jewelry/

 

It is also important to remember that there aren't many Old Pawn pieces on the market, despite seller's claims.

 

Thank you for the very informative link!
That was this thick patina and the whopping 88 grams weight that made me think it was an old piece and maybe "old pawn".

 

Uuhh, higher up isn't comfy, and I don't have anything which could go with it to act as a guard and go wild
Thanks too for your opinion on the pricing
Till now, lebelescargot did rather well, some pieces left a very good profit!!!t
With two sections totally kyratised a Bressans enamel cross bought for 10€

sold for 140€

 

I am very happy for you and hubby.

Not that I am surprised, after the great kyra performed her magic on it.

 

That cross is gorgeous !

 

Kyra-You're masterful at the online auctions.Once i've grown the courage to start listing again,might get back in the bidding game.

 

Oh so beautiful!

 

Another vote for older Navajo.

I’ve older pieces I bought on early visits to the south west and they’re mostly unmarked. Some even bought in pawn shops!

 

Yeppers - the good stuff is usually older and the old pieces were never marked.

And now for the fingernails on chalkboard moment: Old pawn and dead pawn are NOT the same thing. Dead Pawn jewlery is vintage to antique native American jewelry pawned but never redeemed. It can only be called "dead pawn" if it comes wiht its ticket. The Reservations out west didn't have banks generally, and pawn shops served the purpose as well as being a safe place to "store" good jewelry over the Winter. The term "Old Pawn" is pure marketing hype, used because some marketroid wanted to sell old jewelery at a markup.

I'm not a NA expert by any stretch, but used to hang with a few. I have a bad feeling that the distinctions are going away.

 

Look at this screenshot, clearly there’s a boatload of the good stuff just a click away ;p.

1,100+ results for “old pawn Native American jewelry’”….