We stopped by a local antique store where a seller I know sells Native American and vintage western. She typically has some nice items, but today she had just brought in pieces from an estate she purchased. I couldn’t pass up this Zuni choker and these earrings. I don’t typically wear chokers, but this piece grabbed me (by the neck😆)! 2 questions:
I’m thinking the channel inlay choker is Zuni, c. 1950-60ish, and blue gem turquoise (I know, I know, but just want opinions🥴)
Regarding the earrings, they are screwback and fairly heavy (for me!). They have a wide insert in the back that spreads the pressure over the ear lobe making them quite comfy. I love them, but if I decide to sell them, should I convert them to posts? Do any of you wear screwback?
Thanks All!
Wow, amazing! What a wonderful shade of blue (looks like Lake Michigan 
). I would also say Zuni.
I personally do not wear screw backs; they hurt too much. I inherited 3 pairs of earrings from my mom (all bought in the 40’s), and I converted them to posts. I have no idea if that would affect the value of your earrings. I guess you could always let a buyer decide, but I know I wouldn’t buy screw back earrings, too much of a hassle for me. But…I dunno if serious collectors would prefer them in the original form. There. I’m no help at all 
Ha, Ha…that’s what I’m wondering. Would “serious” collectors want these unchanged? They look great on, and are surprisingly comfortable, but logically, I doubt that I’ll wear them (well, maybe to dinner in Santa Fe). Guess I’m just indecisive😬
I love the choker.
I converted some vintage earrings from screw back to posts, just so I could wear them.
You could always keep the screw backs, but convert to posts. If you sell, let the buyer decide which they want.
@Bmpdvm Beautiful vintage turquoise jewelry! Here’s my opinion as a buyer: Don’t convert (alter) vintage earrings solely for saleability. I would leave the choice of converting them, or not, up to the buyer. If the screwback mechanisms are damaged, then yes, I would convert the earrings to posts before selling, and disclose that information to potential buyers. Any hallmarks on either the necklace or earrings?
Wowza!
This necklace is smashing!
A really great piece. The earrings are wonderful, too!
Wonderful group! Due to the weight of the earrings I would leave them as they are. You could also convert earrings to pendants, one stand alone and one that could clip onto a strand of Navajo pearls (see photo). Then keep the tops as studs. Just some ideas.
Thanks All! Unfortunately, no hallmark; believe me I’ve looked,
@Patina and @StevesTrail, at this point I’m leaning towards not converting them. They’re such great vintage earrings, I want to retain their original state. And, because they are heavy, I think as posts they would stretch out the earlobe. I’ve seen many older heavier earrings left as screwback and wondered why, maybe they’re easier on the earlobe than posts? I’m going to try wearing them a time or two as they are before I sell them…We’ll see, they may end up staying with me 
I suspect you’re right in leaving them since they’re vintage/old. I can speak from several years of wearing screw backs earrings (because I didn’t get my ears pierced till I was about 22). They HURT. Maybe if you only wear them for a few hours at a time, but dang, I hated them. IMO if you use the large backs on posts they work better.
But I still think in this case, you are best leaving them, and letting the buyer convert.
Since I don’t have pierced ears (and don’t wear earrings anyhow) I don’t know if this would be practical but from what I can see in the picture, I’m wondering if you could have both. There seems to be enough room above the screw to add a post, leaving the screw as added support. I suppose your could extend or bend the screw support to go along side the post. Just a thought from left field.