From 1982 thru 1984 I had the privilege of living in Albuquerque N.M. My parents had purchase a Mexican Import Store. The store also came with some beautiful old Turquoise jewelry and some painting.
The store was just a few blocks fro the New Mexico State fair grounds. Every weekend my Step father and I would set up at the flea market held there. From what I can research on Google it is still operating.
It didn’t take long for us to realize we could make more sales if I set up at other locations when feasible. On 1st of the month and weather permitting I would travel to Gallup N.M., Santa Fe, Las Vegas or Oklahoma city. During the week when it was slow I’d get crash courses from a few local characters that were knowledgeable in Turquoise and Native jewelry. We sold a ton of wrought Iron plant stands, patio furniture and bakers racks and pots to fill them. It was a lot of work and fun. I did some trading with some older artisans for Turquoise necklaces. The biggest benefit was all the knowledge I gained talking to them in the process They loved the wrought Iron spiral plant stands and I was fond of Turquoise.
In 1984 my parents choose to sell the store and return to Ohio because my step father was pursued by several companies to return and work for them. He was a highly skilled tool grinder.
When they sold the store and moved back to Ohio I found myself moving to Florida and starting a family.
Fast for to 2015, my mother passed away. My step father and mother had divorced about 2001. My mother had told me that she was in possession of a lot of the stores old inventory and that I was to get quite a bit of it due to having traded for some of it and working along side her at the store.
It wasn’t until 2017 when I came into possession of the jewelry. My sister and her daughters, nieces had already taken most of what I traded for. It was all newer early 80’s product.
Much to my surprise most of what was in the store when it was bought was given to me as my Mom had requested.
I have spent many hours researching the older pieces. Some have hallmarks. Others I know that don’t have Hallmarks but made sometime between 1930 and 1960’s when Native Americans began to stamp again. Most of what I have in what is now my personal collection is prior to 1980’s. I have one from the U.S. Government stamping program that began stamping in 1928 and stopped with in two years.
In January-Febuary of 2019 I set up at a how in Quartzsite AZ. I took every opportunity I had to to show and tell and ask questions about my collection. I didn’t place any of it up for sell.
Times have changed. I’m now 67 and my kids have not taken a real interest in the history of the items and and ready to begin to make them available. But as I say about all my want to do projects, one of these days.
I have attached a photo of a stamped bracelet with the history to back up it’s authenticity. One day I share more picture for what I have. This particular piece the maker can’t be identified only the company, age and location it was made and stamped.