I would guess green Kingman on this. But I’m no expert by any stretch.
Maybe missed it, but is there a reason you think it’s made by a Curtis Billie? I found quite a few rings by googling Navajo artist CKB, but none of them say anything about who CKB is. It was interesting one of them had this…
It was interesting on the site that was selling this, someone had commented “why is sterling spelled starling?” Someone else wrote, “I really don’t think this is actually Native American.”
I found this on Etsy. Never heard of Curtis Billie before. So if I were to sell this…it’s heavy at 33 grams. Stone is 1.25” x .75”. Not acid tested but non magnetic. What would a good asking price be? Maybe I’ll send it to The Medicine Man…lol
Maybe. But why would an e one time be stamped upside down? Or why one time an a? I hadn’t even noticed it, until I read the comments on that site. I’m just wondering about the legitimacy of this mark.
And the hallmark on @nanc9354’s ring doesn’t say sterling, it has 925, so it’s different again.
Edit: not saying her ring is fake, just wonder if it’s Native, and wondering about all the CKB Mark’s. I know artists can have different mark’s, but they don’t usually spell a word wrong.
Hi Nancy. No, I’m not. My mothers family came over from Italy, and my Father’s family is primarily NW + Central European and Scandinavian. A small amount of Native blood, but no idea where it came from.
Thanks for the lead. The left is from Jerry Roan Jewelry - Adobe Gallery, Santa Fe
Middle is from my piece
Right is from ebay or etsy
3 distinctly different marks so will have to narrow it down but it’s a great start.
EDIT:
The one from my buckle matches what is in Hougart v5 for Jerry Roan who passed in 1977. After looking at his other items with his documented hallmarks (not #1 or 3 above) with the conjoined JR and stick figures as well, I am happy to say I made a great investment in this purchase. Don’t know how I missed it if it was in v4 so Thanks again!
A while back, I was reading the concho belt “Bible” (see first post) and admiring not only the silverwork, but the old leather that held these belts together. I was specifically focusing on the leather backings that are commonly found on the backs of individual conchos - Phase 1 to present. There is even a section in the book that discusses leather backings and how they can be used to help date belts.
Anyway, I decided I needed a leather backing for my concho buckle. Not because it would be seen or provide any real function, I just wanted one to enjoy privately, so I made one!