Navajo Indian Genuine Turquoise Nugget Traditional Silver Concho Belt 1002-CN
Navajo Indian Genuine Turquoise Nugget Traditional Silver Concho Belt.
The strong, classic look of the southwest expressed on a masterfully crafted concho belt. The nickel Silver buckle and each of the ten nickel Silver conchos hold natural nuggets of genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. Each nugget of this genuine Turquoise still has the natural markings and has been set into individually hand made Sterling Silver bezels that have been sweated to the nickel Silver conchos. Made in our shop, the conchos have been die struck and hand stamped with traditional southwestern designs. The buckle and ten conchos are 2-1/2" by 3-1/4". The leather belt can be cut to fit, just send us your belt size. Stamped Hand Made, signed with the Navajo artist's hallmark.
There are many legends about Turquoise; The Pima consider it to bring good fortune and strength and that it helped overcome illness. The Zuni believe that blue turquoise was male and of the sky and green turquoise was female and of the earth. Pueblo Indians thought that its color was stolen from the sky. In Hopi legend the lizard who travels between the above and the below, excretes turquoise and that the stone can hold back floods. The Apache felt that turquoise on a gun or bow made it shoot straight. The Navajo consider it as good fortune to wear and believe it could appease the Wind Spirit.
Concha belts are one of the most striking articles of Indian Jewelry. The medallions or plates of silver vary in number according to size. The older type had holes in the center, separated by a bar, through which was passed the strap forming the belt. The first belts were made only of concha's, with leather thongs used for fastening. Later a silver harness buckle was used, then slides of soft copper were used to attach and slide the concha's on belts and finally elaborate buckles replaced the leather thongs and simple buckles. The use of turquoise and other adornment on concha's date from the 1920's.
Please measure your waist and allow us to know your exact waist size in the 'comment box' as you check out so we can make sure that this concho belt is perfect for you. For concho belts that come with leather, if you do not give us your size specifications the leather belt will come to you unpunched.
We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it's important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.
CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC |