Navajo Style Jewelry Genuine Turquoise Coral Bear Claw Sterling Silver Buckle by Lucky.

This is a buckle that you can definitely make a strong statement with. This incredible work of wearable art features the Sterling Silver image of the mighty bear set between a pair of Bear Claws. The top of this hand made top quality buckle features three nuggets of genuine sky blue Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. The bottom has three nuggets of genuine Red Gold Coral. A large cluster of hand made 'Navajo Tear Drops' of varying sizes dress this buckle with a high shine. Sterling Silver flowers, Sterling Silver feathers, and a hand twisted Sterling Silver wire provide extra ornamentation. Made in our shop. This buckle is 2-1/2" by 3-1/4" with a 1-1/2" keeper on the back. Stamped Sterling and signed by the artist.

The Sleeping Beauty mine is located near Globe, Arizona. Its turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is the favorite of the Zuni Pueblo silversmiths for use in petite point, needlepoint, and inlay jewelry. This mine is one of the largest in North America and is still operating.

The Bear is a potent source of strength for many Native Americans. Admired for their strength, independence, and self reliance, the Spirit of the Bear was often invoked before entering battle. Warriors sometimes painted their faces with marks resembling bear claw scratches and carried double-edged knives with handles carved from the jawbones of bears as good luck charms. It was believed that bear power could also cure illness. Shamans or medicine men from many different groups frequently dressed as bears when working to heal the sick. Just as honoring the bear spirit could bring blessings to people, provoking the spirit might bring them harm. For that reason, some tribes, most notably the Apache, forbade their hunters to kill a bear, or even to touch the carcass of one found dead in the woods.