Hi all, this is a bolo that was my dad’s. I really like the stone, and don’t dislike the setting. I want to have it made into a pendant. How involved would this likely be, and I’m also open to having the stone put in an entirely different setting, perhaps more substantial. Since I’m undecided, I’m just looking for thoughts and opinions, so fire away if you are so moved 
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How pretty! Just a thought: I hear what you have in mind, but have you considered wearing it as is, as a bolo? It can be a cool look on women, basically an alternative to a necklace, especially if you don’t tighten it all the way up.
Sorry not to be directly helpful. Good luck!
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@tepowell Beautiful turquoise & I think its current sterling setting is ideal for it. That being said, I agree with @chicfarmer about considering to wear it as a bolo tie. I wear my bolo ties more like a necklace and never tighten them all the way up. I understand that may not work for you. In any case, it would definitely make for a pretty pendant.
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I third leaving it a bolo, and leaving it as such could really remind you of your dad (although maybe you have other items). I’ve been thinking about getting one eventually, cause they are quite chic. If you do change it to a pendant I imagine Perry Null could do that, but why change the setting? It’s so pretty. Unless of course you want something completely different; if it’s not your style and you won’t wear it I understand, but that might be pricey.
Changing it to a pendant I wouldn’t think would be terribly costly. I had a buckle changed into a pendant because I didn’t have belts to fit it. It was around $30 (not sure of exact amount cuz I had a couple items fixed), but that was probably 15 years ago, and they didn’t have to remove a stone.
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Hi @tepowell. The main concern for converting to a pendant is the amount of heat necessary to remove the bolo finding, which covers a lot of the available area on the back, and likely has a lot of solder under it. What you don’t want to happen is for the solder holding the front together to run causing parts to slip or voids to fill up leaving unsightly blotches or gobs of solder where it shouldn’t be.
One option, and the simplest and safest would be to have the finding sanded down nearly flush with the back, and having a bail, or a loop for the bail soldered on at the narrow end.
You might lose the hallmarks either way since these are in the area where the bail, or bail loop will be attached.
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Thanks for all the input, y’all! It does sound like it’s safest to leave it as it is, and see if I can make it work for me my dad loved the green turquoise.
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I’ll be the spoiler. I like your idea to make a usable item out of something you would not otherwise wear.
Sometimes I have been able to heat sink a part and heat the part I want to remove but in this case I don’t like heat with such a large attached area. I like @mmrogers idea of grinding (but watch heat buildup).
Then preferably, you need to find a jeweler that uses TIG to weld a bail on. Laser will work but does not penetrate as deep. TIG jewelers are scarce however.
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what type, style, size chain are you thinking about using for this project?
I guess maybe that’s why I was thinking an entirely new pendant would be easier, just reset the stone in something new? I do like the style of the bolo setting; does it have an intrinsic value in and of itself? (SS Sterling? I don’t have my Hougart’s handy).
I haven’t really gotten that far? The bolo has been lying in wait for a few years, which is long enough I’ve got a variety of chains, including a Native handmade link one. I think the only saucer beads I have would overwhelm unless it was substantial.
Attached pic has an example of 2 very different settings I like, I was thinking of setting off the stone more. Thanks for your input!
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non destructive and reversable method I would try. save the pieces to revert back to bolo
create a single or double wire wrap bail or ask somebody to wrap one for you.
can be totally hidden in the space where leather cords once were
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What a great idea @Steve . Should lie well since it looks like most of the weight will be on the larger end.
Do you have an artist in mind to do this work?
Nope! Just thinking and getting input, see how much trouble it would be and if it’s worth it. We are heading to NM in June, I have some other repairs accumulated to take with me, so it brought this bolo to mind again.
Got it. Do you have other things from your dad that he wore? If it’s the only thing you’ve got you might think a bit before you change it. I’m just saying this from experience. I only have one item of native jewelry, a buckle, from my father, and every time I wear it I think of him.
I couldn’t find that hallmark on a quick check, but I don’t have the resources that some of the other members have.
Are there any cracks in the stone? I have heard that can be hard to reset if that’s the case.
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If you decide to change it, I know many of us on here would highly recommend Perry Null. They did a complicated fix to one of my cuffs at a very reasonable price. But if you can’t get to Gallup, I also had some items fixed at Palms Trading in ABQ, and was very pleased with them. The place that I had my buckle converted to a pendant is no longer open.
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I checked with my repair people @tepowell. They said they could convert it. Cost: $90.
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I am a silversmith and make and repair Native American jewelry. I would be able to
change your bolo to a pendant with a bail for a chain or beads. I would remove stone
so nothing happens to it. I have made bolos many times and converted bolos to pendants before. You can email me at any time. wwc@newmex.com
I really appreciate all the perspectives, thank you! I will mull it over and see where I want to go with it. There’s no other family this will pass to next, so that’s not an issue to consider.
We do have Perry Null on our list, had a first wonderful visit last summer and are looking forward to returning. As far as getting repairs, is it best to reach out to them beforehand?
Thanks again!
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When I was sending my cuff in to get fixed I called and talked to them first. Jason told me to ask for Rocky.
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