As I have said on here many times, my jewelry items usually have a lot of memories attached to them. Through the years I have bought quite a few pawn pieces, so I thought I’d post the rings here all together (some of them I have posted on the forum at one point). My budget was much lower when I purchased all of these (none of them were very pricey), but they are each special to me. Some I bought at the Eiteljorg when they used to have someone from Gallup bring in crates of pawn jewelry (those are the only ones that came with the ticket, but all originally had tickets), and the others were from different places in the 4 corners region. These first three I bought at the Eiteljorg, and the middle ticket on the back says Tobe Turpen’s.
These next three all came from Blair’s Dinnebito Trading Post in Page, AZ which was a wonderful old school place that has since closed. I bought a couple other really nice items there. I purchased the 2 on the right at the store, but the Patricia Hale ring (which I love so much I had it resized and a loose stone fixed) I got at the Eiteljorg, but the ticket says Blair’s.
The cluster ring from Blair’s is also special to me because it was clearly loved and worn; the band is wonky, and has thread wrapped around it from the previous owner.
These last four came from different stores. The 2 with coral I bought at Cameron Trading Post (in their pawn section). Unfortunately a leaf broke off the square ring. The shadowbox ring I purchased in Ouray, and my favorite of all these pawn rings is the stoplight style ring which I got at the wonderful Four Winds Traders in Flag (which only sold pawn and is now closed ). The receipt says Bisbee stones (there has been some color change in the stones, and the middle is not that green in person).
Thanks y’all! This kind of Native jewelry is what originally drew me into collecting. I couldn’t afford higher end stuff, but these still speak to me on an emotional level; they feel very connected to the Navajo Rez.
@Ravenscry, I’m not sure what the black stone is; it’s kinda matte so I wonder if it’s jet. I’m not sure how I stumbled on the store in Flag. Around 1990 I was on a trip with 2 of my good friends, and we were wandering the downtown area. Four Winds was on Rt 66, but a block or so away from the shopping area which is prob what kept the tourists away (and also the pawn sign ). Through the years I bought 5 cuffs, 1 buckle, and 2 rings (unfortunately I lost one of the rings). Eventually it changed owners, and it’s never been the same. We hadn’t been there for a bit, but around 2010 we stopped back. The original owner wasn’t there anymore, and it just didn’t have anything that appealed to me; the stuff all looked the same, new and shiny and very '70ish - over the top scroll work and leaves with bear claws etc, and I don’t mean in a good way.
If you’re ever out my way you are welcome to do that
The frustrating thing in the winter here is you’re so bundled up nobody can see your jewelry. At least in the stores when you take off your gloves your rings are noticeable.
@Ziacat Well, I’ll certainly let you know if I’m in your neighborhood!
Yes, all my jewelry gets covered up this time of year.
I look forward to summer and short sleeves!
I forgot these two that I wear a lot. The one on the left was another pawn Eiteljorg purchase, and the ticket says Nevada turquoise, and is from Tobe Turpen’s (although I can’t find it right at the moment). The one on the right I bought in the early 90’s at Hopi House when they had a case with a little bit of pawn jewelry.
Thank you for sharing your amazing collection of pawn rings! I think if I had to choose one to enjoy, it would be the rectangular turquoise one in the photo just above. It looks like the sky at its most luminous, with a couple of wispy clouds. I imagine one could happily gaze at it for ages!
Thank you! I feel like with the pawn tickets and memories of where I bought them I have a teeny bit of history. I love that ring also. The photo doesn’t do it justice; it almost glows in good light. I have no idea who made it or where the turquoise was mined.
But isn’t turquoise amazing? Those 2 stones couldn’t be more different - one being a dark navy and the other an intense blue. If I didn’t know anything about turquoise, I would think there’s no way they’re the same type of stone.
Great collection. I love them all. Do you know approximate dates these were made? When did jewelers pawn their works? You encompass a lot of different styles. If I had to pick one or two…I like the cluster ring and the shadowbox ring with the nugget.
That’s a really good question that I don’t have an answer for. Except for the shadow box (bought in '21) and the square one with turquoise and coral ('17), I bought all of them in the '90s. I don’t think any of them are particularly old, although the cluster ring was clearly worn a lot, but I bought it at a trading post deeper into the reservation. I do remember when I posted the navy turquoise ring on here previously with its pawn ticket from Tobe Turpen, Jason mentioned that he hadn’t seen one of those tickets for a very long time, and it must have been “sitting in their sellers inventory.”
If I’m remembering right, pawning jewelry on the Rez has been going on for a very, very long time. Here’s a pretty good little article on it.The History of Pawn – T.Skies Jewelry
Just so you know, NONE of my items were sold as “old pawn,” because of course they aren’t. One of the tickets does say “dead pawn” on the back.
Doesn’t even feel worth it putting on much jewelry, because you can’t see it under all the layers, and when I get to work the layers mostly stay on. I feel like Randy from A Christmas Story.
I love the brilliant blue rectangular ring.
And, since you mentioned the cold…
When I fed my horse this AM it was -18 with a -35 wind chill. Her heeavy coat keeps her nice and warm, but I was out and back in ASAP. Didn’t even scratch between her ears for long.
I am glad that I have some jewelry I can wear to work. That way it does not sit around all Winter.
Oh that’s horrid. I remember the night before my dad passed back in '81 he said that was going to get to -20 (not wind chill) that night, and he was right. Then the day of my mom’s funeral in '15 it was -10. You are a bit farther north than us so it gets colder. But that’s winter!
I do actually wear some jewelry anyway. Just not as many necklaces or long earrings. They get too caught up in my coat.
). The receipt says Bisbee stones (there has been some color change in the stones, and the middle is not that green in person).
). Through the years I bought 5 cuffs, 1 buckle, and 2 rings (unfortunately I lost one of the rings). Eventually it changed owners, and it’s never been the same. We hadn’t been there for a bit, but around 2010 we stopped back. The original owner wasn’t there anymore, and it just didn’t have anything that appealed to me; the stuff all looked the same, new and shiny and very '70ish - over the top scroll work and leaves with bear claws etc, and I don’t mean in a good way.
