.925 Vintage Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Measurement: 5.5” however I wear a size 7” and it fits great. It is also easily adjustable.
Pre-Owned and signs of use and patina. Light cleaning has been done.
Please note all markings and wear as this is a piece of history & no refunds will be given.
•This stunning piece is believed to have been made in the 1930’s or before as there is no original sterling silver trademark stamp or an artisan stamp. Most Native American artists didn’t begin using the STERLING or .925 stamp until the 1950’s-1960’s.
•Rough Edges: Rough or uneven edges is a great sign that indicates that a piece is handcrafted, which can be a sign of vintage or artisanal jewelry.
•Tested Positive for Sterling Silver: The fact that it tested positive for sterling silver is a good indication of its quality. Sterling silver is often used in authentic vintage and Native American jewelry.
•Turquoise Stone: The turquoise stone, especially if it has a matrix (the brownish lines or patterns within the stone), is often a feature of Southwestern jewelry, particularly pieces made by Native American tribes like the Navajo, Zuni, or Hopi. The style of the bracelet, with its ornate silver-work, is also indicative of this type of craftsmanship.
The Use of Thin Sterling Silver
•Handcrafted Nature: Many vintage silver pieces were handmade using traditional techniques, which often resulted in thinner silver being used to ensure the piece was lightweight and comfortable to wear.
•Material Costs: Silver, even in earlier times, was a valuable material. Thinner silver allowed artisans to create more pieces or larger items without using an excessive amount of silver, making the jewelry more affordable for buyers.
•Design Aesthetic: The aesthetic of many Southwestern or Native American jewelry pieces is often delicate and intricate, requiring thin silver to achieve the desired designs, such as fine details or stone settings.
•Functionality: Thinner silver is more malleable, making it easier to create detailed work and to shape the bracelet to fit the wrist snugly.
While thicker silver is often associated with more modern or mass-produced pieces, thinner silver is a hallmark of certain traditional jewelry-making techniques, and it doesn’t necessarily detract from the value or quality of the piece.