This fine buckle is vintage Leonard Nez. It was created decades ago early in his noted career. A radiating sunburst pattern encircles the outer edge of the piece followed by hand texture and a rug pattern design nearest to the bezel. A rare and beautiful natural Aztec turquoise sits in the middle in an intricate hand chiseled bezel. The mine is a small hat claim located in the Royston mining district. It produced just a small amount of deep sky blue gems with vibrant reddish-brown matrix.

A beautiful old Blue Gem turquoise was chosen to sit in a hand made bezel atop this fine buckle by Herman Smith. The natural cabochon is the signature look of this famous depleted claim, deep aqua green with electric reddish-brown matrix. It contrasts finely with the quality of the elegant stamp work. Herman uses his home made tools with precision to create a design that reflects decades of silver smithing.

This striking piece is Jack’s signature sterling silver bead necklace. Made entirely by hand he combines round, oval, overlaid and cylindrical barrel style beads to execute the perfect neck wear. They are oxidized and polished for an unusual effect when worn.

A hallmark of Jack’s work is his attention to detail and his use of the finest materials. The beautiful natural Morenci spiderweb turquoise set against a bright earring post is a testament to good taste. Below the post a wave of bright sterling silver dangles from the ear.

Morenci turquoise was mined as a by product of the largest copper mine in the United States. The Phelps Dodge copper mine is located in eastern central Arizona near the New Mexico border. This famous turquoise produces a deep blue hue with iron pyrite as a distinctive feature of the finest. The thirty perfectly matched natural gems set in this incredible necklace are among the top 1 percent found at this depleted mine. Today, gems of this quality are found only in private collections. Navajo jeweler, Sammie Begay has them set in labor intensive ingot sterling silver created completely from scratch. Hand made bezels encircle each of the stones with beautiful deep scallops appearing to the sides. The blossoms are old French “ fleur de lis” designs. This design is the European symbol of the Lilly and was undoubtedly brought to the American Southwest in the early days of Spanish colonization. These blossoms attach to a splendid Naja, created by a master silversmith with decades of experience behind him. The necklace is strung with fine hand made beads. The seamless beads were created separately by master bead maker Margaret Lee. They add timeless elegance and weight to this highly collectible masterpiece.

Old Blue Gem turquoise was predominantly deep electric blue in hue. A tiny amount combined hues of deep hunter green with striking gold and reddish-brown matrix. This specimen is a classic representation. It is set in a hand made bezel surrounded in twist wire. A deeply chiseled border completes a shadowbox and enhances the beauty of the gem.