Good afternoon,
Does this look like sleeping beauty? I’m trying to learn. I know sleeping beauty can be free from veins/matrix, but just not sure. Thank you!
It is very hard to tell from photos. It could be nice sleeping beauty or just block turquoise. As always, just my opinion.
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Agree, though it looks like block. Is the metal definitely sterling silver? No hallmark.
Is this a repurposed barrette?
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This is exactly why sometimes SB turquoise makes me nervous. If I can’t see any color change in it I always wonder if it’s block, and I can’t tell from the photo about that. These stones look perfectly uniform in color, which always makes me skeptical.
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Thank you! Yes, I’m wondering if it’s block too. I’m not experienced enough to know. I can do an acid test to check for silver, but no idea how, in my limited knowledge, can tell the stone. Thank you for the replies!
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No idea if it was anything other than a buckle before. I will ask that. Owner said it was purchased by her grandparents in the 80’s.
@chicfarmer has an eye. I feel she was referring to the two teardrop-shaped holes that are integrated into the design. The commercially made hinge bar and prong look to be added later with a distribution/strengthening plate. One heck of a buckle!
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Overall, it looks like it could’ve been a manta pin/brooch in a previous life. An interesting conversion.
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This has a lot of resemblance to my Eunice and Joe Wilson pendant (hallmark EJW), they use sleeping beauty a lot. Unfortunate if the hallmark was covered up in the conversion?
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Thanks! Yes, it was a hair piece initially. It was then converted to the buckle. I’m in love with it…
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I see a tiny bit of matrix in your stones.
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It is beautiful. I’m not saying it’s for sure block, just that stones this “perfect” make me wonder. No color change could just mean they are stabilized.
This was an older interesting post. Unsigned turquoise cluster cuff
@Jason, what are your thoughts on this turquoise?
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My vote is block. To me, the stones look quite different from those in @tepowell ‘s pendant
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The current owner said it was purchased in the 80’s by her grandmother. It was originally a barrette. The grandmother loved it, but wanted it to be a buckle. It was sent back to the artist and converted to the buckle, (flattened, welding added and stones replaced). The artist was Larry Moses Begay. If it isn’t true, well, it’s quite the story! 
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He’s a well known artist but did work in block often. I would tend to believe them as it’s a detailed story and matches the style and materials of Larry Moses Begay.
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Any advice to give when I see it in person to know the difference? I still love it, just want to be smart about it.
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