I gave up digging on the 16 ray sun stamp when I got the warning screen advising me that I was a few clicks away from “THE LAST PAGE ON THE INTERNET” https://hmpg.net/
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Unfortunately, and almost without exception, the individuals behind the counter aren’t experts and ‘know’ only what has been represented to them by a vendor.
However, given the potential severe criminal and civil penalties provided for under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, you’d think they would put in at least a little effort to authenticate items they’re sticking their neck out to sell as “authentic”.
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So @here4turquoise, if you are planning to return the ring I hope you took my “use Visa” advise for purchases, and you have @Steve research, @mmrogers with his assessment and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, and the mark can not be authenticated to a maker all as backup to get a refund. Don’t forget to get the refund receipt. CC refunds always generate a receipt. If they waffle, have them give you a written refund receipt with the original CC transaction number on it for when you have to dispute the charge. Best wishes.
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It’s a pretty ring, but I agree with @mmrogers that it is not Zuni, and the stones have been inlayed into a cast blank.
To provide some answers to your question @nanc9354:
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The ring does not overall have a Zuni look to it, with the heavy looking amount of silver and the emphasis on the silver with the bear print design on the side. Zuni lapidary generally puts the emphasis on just that, the lapidary work, which the silver mostly exists to support.
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The silver is pretty obviously machine cast, and most Zuni artists would not inlay into machine cast silver. To me there are two major giveaways that it is machine cast. First, the fact that it’s not cast solid; the silver is not filled in at all between the finger and the very edge of the design. This is of course money saving and pretty common with volume/machine/overseas casting, and would not be seen in a hand fabricated or “hand” casted (tufa, sand, etc.) Native American made ring. Second, the bear paw design on the side is in the style of overlay, but if you look at a lot of Native American overlay this is clearly not that. It’s not as crisp and detailed, and the stippling behind it is also cast into the ring as opposed to being hand etched as we see in handmade NA overlay.
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I did take your advice! Lesson learned!
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Let us know what happens! Hope it goes well. Frustrating when something like this happens.
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Thanks again @mmrogers and @OrbitOrange . I love learning from the experts!
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This was a very interesting and informative thread.
Since I dabble a little in silversmithing, I’m always looking at jewelry construction, and
I didn’t think the ring looks Zuni made either.
Thanks for all the clarification from our knowledgeable members!
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Thank you to each of you for your help. The shop has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. All is well with cash in hand rather than a cc refund. We did not mention that we suspected the item was not as represented.
I especially want to thank @mmrogers for his eagle eye and his willingness to inform this forum when something sends up a red flag.
To @Steve, thank you for always supporting this forum with your knowledge of finding just about everything on the internet.
@StevesTrail, you have helped me in more than this situation. Thank you.
Again, thank you to each forum member that weighed in on this post.
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