I was told this was by Tim Vandever but I can’t verify that through my search online. Could it be an import? Thanks!
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In general, the more desirable the maker or turquoise (as with most things) the more a seller wants to attribute their item so they can make a bigger score. They know those looking can be reeled in and hopefully hooked.
From what I see out there, he signs his pieces with “Tim Vandever” and STERLING.
There are two sayings: “read what the law says, not what you want it to say” and “cite references”. I try to apply these in modified form to situations when applicable.
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Thanks, Steve. Do you think it’s an import?
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where did you buy it?
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If it is an import, it is quite well made, and that is a nice piece of Golden Hills turquoise.
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The stone is beautiful and the silver work is very well done. I love the stamping on the bale.
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From Hespera Jewelry. He sells both Native-made jewelry and Southwestern style jewelry but he said this was Tim Vandever. I agree that it’s very well-made and it doesn’t have the typical hallmarks you see in imports like a brushed silver back and etched Sterling (as opposed to stamped) or a 925 stamp. So it’s a puzzler. It could have come from a shop that hires Navajo silversmiths but I thought someone mighty have seen that stamp before because I can’t find it in any of the online resources for hallmarks or on Bille Hougart’s book. 
. Thanks for your feedback.
There is a lot of discussion online about Hespera and Eric Ruyak…try Google to find more.
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Yeah, I’ve seen some of it since buying from him. It’s hard when he mixes non-Native jewelry with Native-made jewelry and he moves so fast when live selling and sometimes just says “Native made” and the piece is not stamped. I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt but I want to know exactly what I’m buying so maybe the live format just isn’t for me. He sells some items stamped PN and says it’s Philbert Nez but I haven’t ever seen that artist’s work being sold elsewhere. Does anyone know if that is a legitimate silversmith? He also says Calvin Delgarito has made several unsigned items and hand-strung beads, etc. and I haven’t heard of him outside of Hespera either. I’m going to start a new thread about those artists to see if anyone knows of them. I truly appreciate all of your comments everyone!
@Abqmom Forewarned is Forearmed. You may want to consider reading an online article from Santa Clarita News (KHTS Radio), dated October 28, 2025, that is about a robbery where 2 men allegedly stole $8000.00 in jewelry from a business in Canyon Country (Santa Clarita, CA).
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@Patina Yikes, such criminality 
. Thank you for sharing this!
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I saw that and was in disbelief. The owner of Hespera was also recently banned from the Whatnot selling platform and he hasn’t addressed the arrest or what happened at Whatnot to anyone’s satisfaction. I think his credibility has gone down for a lot of people.
Ya think? 
………………
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Unfortunately native artists are still creating for Hespera 