Featured Sterling concha on necklace. Southwest Spanish Mexican American?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Any Jewelry, Jul 14, 2017.

  1. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Does anyone have any idea of the origin and age of my sterling silver concha (concho)? The diameter is 4.1 cm/1.61", marked sterling on the back.
    It is on a sterling bead necklace, could be a marriage.
    Thanks for looking.
    DSC07949 (640x412).jpg upload_2017-7-14_14-39-15.jpeg upload_2017-7-14_14-40-5.jpeg
     
  2. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    It appears to be lost wax cast and possibly mass produced.
     
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  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, those patches look like the wax was filled in places.
     
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  4. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Looks like cut off sprues which were not filed clean after the piece was cast.
     
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    So that's what those patches are. Someone was in a hurry, or they didn't think it important because it is the back.
    Do you have any idea of the age?
     
  6. Melissa Brown

    Melissa Brown Well-Known Member

    Definitely a marriage. That concho was meant to be on a leather belt.

    ...edited to add...or a saddle. Threaded on leather of some kind...
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2017
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  7. Melissa Brown

    Melissa Brown Well-Known Member

  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Thanks, so it is a berry concha (concho).
    Except mine is sterling silver.
     
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  9. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Seconded. Someone strung the concho onto the sterling necklace so they could wear the singleton. Generally a belt would have at least four or five on it, sometimes more. The necklace looks like sterling beads strung on....? Is that a braided wire inside? If so, it's a nice quality necklace on its own; check it for maker's marks just in case. I'd give them a divorce, wear the chain on its own, and put the concho on some leather cord. But that the jewelry junkie in me talking.
     
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  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, it is braided wire, couldn't find any maker's marks. I was thinking of a divorce as well. For these two, that is, not for my dear husband and myself.:)
     
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  11. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    He's not getting rid of you that easily.(LOL) When I see beads on that sort of wire, it means someone cared and generally indicates good quality construction.
     
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