A gorgeous display of Zuni silver work. Hand cut pieces of natural Sleeping Beauty Turquoise inlaid in Sterling Silver to form an intricate geometric pattern to dazzle the eye. Individually hand made dots of silver have been sweated together and form the figure of a star. Suspended from a complimentary chain, the width of the pin/ pendant is 1-3/4" and this piece has been signed by the artist RB Luate (Zuni).

The Zuni Indians learned to silversmith from the Navajo in the early 1870's. The Zuni, because they had permanent homes unlike the nomadic Navajo, were able to use many tools that the Navajo could not easily carry with them. With the lapidary wheels they began cutting stones and using the silver to hold their stones in patterns. Today, Zuni silversmiths are known for their lapidary skills. Both channel inlay (using precisely cut stones set on silver to form figures and designs) and cluster and needlepoint (setting small, similarly cut stones in geometric patterns) are traditional Zuni styles.

In Indian folklore it is said that there was once a chief with turquoise colored skin. One day he was running from his enemies in the hot desert. Whenever he stopped to rest, his perspiration ran onto the ground, collected in rocks and became turquoise.

For thousands of years the finest intense blue turquoise in the world was found in Persia, and the term "Persian Turquoise" became synonymous with the finest quality. This changed during the late 1800's and early 1900's when modern miners discovered or rediscovered significant deposits of high-quality turquoise in the western and southwestern United States. Material from many of these deposits was just as fine as the finest "Persian." Today, the term "Persian Turquoise" is more often a definition of quality than a statement of origin, and the majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the United States, the largest producer of turquoise.

We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize that it is 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