Antique Vintage Native Navajo Sterling Silver retailer Mother of Pearl Ring Sz 5.25 2.8g

We have similar Mother of Pearl and Native American items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Mother of Pearl" or "Native" under our items.

Listing description by: Angela A.

The Piece

Markings: Partial "Sterling" on the inside of the band, tested, and guaranteed

Main stone: Mother of pearl

Main stone measurements/color:
-Length: 15.56 mm
-Width: 5.83 mm
-Color: lustrous white hue

Accent stone: --

Accent stone measurements/color: --

Stone treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.

Stone cuts: Carved and polished cabochon

Ring face measurements:
-Length: 0.92"
-Width: 0.38"

Notable features:
-handmade in the 1960s by a talented Native American silversmith
-composed of .925 sterling silver
-a beautiful mother of pearl cabochon adorns the ring's face
-the stone rests in a bezel setting, framed on each end by sterling silver bead motifs
-a rope twist motif surrounds the stone
-split shoulders taper into the smooth, polished band for secure wear

Damage: Age appropriate wear. There is a small chip from one end of the stone, which retailer does not affect wear. Tarnish on the sterling silver gives the piece an antique quality we believe is rather lovely; tarnish can be removed with a buffing, if desired. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*


The History

This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith. It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find. This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today.

The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health.

The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani, in turn, taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans. In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. After 1900, with the tourist trade started booming in the Southwest, and Navajo artisans started commercially producing silver and turquoise jewelry and selling it through the various trading posts.

The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s. During this time, trading posts had become commonplace for Native Americans to go and exchange food, tools, and other materials with Colonists. Essentially, banks would loan the shop owners money which was then invested into loans for Native Americans in exchange for their jewelry. When a loan wasn't repaid, the item became known as either "Old Pawn" or "Dead Pawn."

Mother of Pearl is a beautiful type of organic mollusk shell lining that is made up of nacre, the same substance that coats pearls. It is a strong, iridescent material that is well suited to decorative arts, and has been used in art, jewelry and even architecture for thousands of years. Mother of Pearl is highly prized for its distinct, multi-colored pearlescent glow.



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