Here is a bracelet I just picked up. I never see items in semi precious metals so I wonder if most people shun jewelry if not made in silver or gold. I think it’s a super piece with some age and history.
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Bell Trading Post is renowned for its distinctive solid copper jewelry, particularly from their Corinthian line. Let me share some insights about this fascinating jewelry:
- Origins and Symbolism:
- Bell Trading Post was a company that specialized in creating and selling southwestern-style jewelry. They operated at various tourist stops across the United States.
- The Corinthian line was introduced in the 1950s and featured a rustic and organic aesthetic.
- The jewelry often combined solid copper with turquoise, creating a beautiful contrast between the bright blue stones and the patinated copper.
- Designs and Pieces:
- Cuff Bracelets: The Corinthian line included cuff bracelets with textured copper surfaces. Some featured turquoise cabochons set in a random pattern.
- Necklaces: Circular pendants bezel-set with bright blue turquoise cabochons were popular in this line.
- Other Jewelry: Bell Trading Post also produced rings, medallion necklaces, and other accessories in solid copper.
- Signature Markings:
- The trading post symbol first appeared on jewelry in 1961.
- After the formation of Sunbell in 1969, pieces were often signed with a bell symbol surrounded by four lines (representing sun rays) on each side.
- Some Sunbell items were part of a rustic-looking line called Corinthian1.
- Examples of Bell Trading Post Solid Copper Jewelry:
- Vintage Bell Trading Post Copper Cuff Bracelet: These cuff bracelets showcase the Southwestern flair, often featuring Native American motifs like Knifewing Kachina designs.
- Vintage Bell Trading Post Copper Turquoise Necklace: A bold and rustic necklace with a Brutalist style, combining copper and turquoise.
- Solid Copper Bear Claw Design Cuff Bracelet: Another unique piece from the Corinthian line, perfect for smaller wrists.
- Wide Copper-Colored Cuff: Reflecting the Route 66 era, this cuff is a piece of tourist jewelry with a historical touch.
Remember, Bell Trading Post’s jewelry captures the essence of the American Southwest, blending craftsmanship, symbolism, and natural materials.
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Thanks for the history @Steve .
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I think your cuff is cool, @StevesTrail. And thanks for the info, @Steve. I prefer silver with native jewelry, but I have a copper cuff with some turquoise made by a Cherokee artist, and a heavy narrow silver and copper cuff by Navajo artist Wylie Secatero. I also have a few other copper pieces. It’s gold that I don’t wear; but that’s just me.
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I love the copper and turquoise. It brings Michigan float copper to mind.
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Handsome and a bit moderne ! Love it
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I like the combo of turquoise and copper better than silver. Especially when paired with turquoise that has a copper colored matrix.
Thanks for sharing some Bell history.
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I love the look of copper and turquoise. I have some somewhere. I think copper as a metal for jewelry is underused! I have always used it to make pieces.
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I really like these organic textured pieces, but, from my point of view it would be fabulous in textured silver. I do have several copper cuffs I picked up over years and years. One is a Bell Trading post piece; they created a variety of copper and turquoise pieces. This one is totally different from @Steve’s pieces, but nice in its own way:
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I really like that stone @Bmpdvm . Like most people I’m not as much into the copper but they have their own unique attributes. Yours looks well made.
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Lookie what I found! It’s stated to be nickel silver and a faux turquoise stone? Likely mine is the same…too bad because I’ve always liked the cab in mine. I’ll have to check mine. Never will wear it, but I just appreciate the history associated with copper pieces!
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Very interesting and beautiful. Recently i was lucky enough to acquire some rough turquoise that is said to have belonged to the Maisel/ Bell stock.
Below are some excerpts: first photo is a selection of Royston (i made the pic in order to study the different looks of the mine).
The second photo is unidentified turquoise, coming from a bag labelled Old Bell Corinthian Slabs Mixed Old SW Mines.
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