I just purchased these two pieces of turquoise jewelry very cheap. It Was stated that they were sterling silver and turquoise. The ring has a Bell Trading Post halmark from 1961 - 1972. The earrings do not have a halmark. I am guessing they are old since they are clip ONS, and look Zuni. I would love to read opinions on if the turquoise is real, and where it could be sourced from. I purchased them so cheap, that it is OK if it isn’t real. I think they are both pretty.
The earrings remind me of Sancrest but they are usually hallmarked as such.
Agree, the earrings are commercial costume jewelry (faux materials).
Any ideas about the ring and turquoise in it?
Imma guess Kingman, imagine that
When in doubt…Kingman is always a good answer!
You probably know, but Bell is commercially made tourist jewelry, not Native American hand made. That being said, there are a lot of people who collect Bell and other types of commercially made tourist jewelry for what it is. It’s a cool stone.
I was under the impression that some of the jewelry was made by hired Native Americans, probably in the early years. " By 1935 Bell Trading Post followed suit installing his own machinery which was used by his Native American workers". I understand that it was for the tourist industry, and not handmade, but I am intrigued by the history. My ring isn’t that old, but I did like the turquoise. The halmark on the ring wasn’t used until 1962. I am a little bummed about the earrings, but lesson learned.
Yes, I believe that in the earliest years (1935-1940) Bell hired Native Americans to bench make items from sheet silver. In 1940(?) they mechanized and I believe would hire NA workers to work the presses. So the vast majority of their output is machine made although there may be a few early handmade peices floating around. As you said, yours is later. It’s still a pretty ring though with real turquoise (sometimes they used imitation). If you got it for cheap it’s a win!