Featured Belt: Are They Conchos? Cast Open Ovals w/Turquoise Centers; Unsigned

~36" long, ~1 3/8" X 1 1/8" ovals, weight ~5.9 oz troy;
The turquoise are uniform size, but vary slightly in color. Several of the linking rings have minor distortion.

Because of their lack of any markings, I'm not certain these are silver...but all indications are, to me, pretty strongly in favor of that conclusion.

Whatever they are, can y'all say whether they're Navajo, or another SW tribe...or Mexican? Does the pattern have a name? What else do I need to know about them? Thanks for lookin'!

 

The main ovals might have been Tufa Stone Cast,with soldered links.

 

I can't vouch for any of the info, but this on Etsy is very similar, probably the same maker / artisan. Seller says Royston turquoise.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1395444349/old-pawn-vintage-sand-cast-navajo-strlng?gpla=1&gao=1&

 

they look sand cast.....and old pawn vintage......means the seller don't know nuthin about them, other than they want yer money !

 

It is lovely, whit, and I agree, probably tufa/sand cast.
The style is inspired by conchas, but I wouldn't call these conchas. I would call them beautiful.

I would say the same goes for Royston turquoise. You can only name a mine if you know for sure that an artist used turquoise from a certain mine.

Many people look at photos of turquoise from well known mines and say, oh that is my stone. It doesn't work like that.
Stones from different mines can look the same, and turquoise has been imported into the Southwest from abroad for over a century.

 

stuff like this makes everyone think they're an expert....
but really....it's just more confusing.....

Hahahaha!!!!

 

You talkin' about the Etsy belt, or mine, komo?

 

Your belt is made of what look like sand-cast pieces and almost certainly silver. As for old pawn, probably never saw a pawn shop in its life. Pieces like this were made for sale. (I loathe the term "old pawn" ; it's a way to con people into thinking something is dead pawn, but without using the technical term that requires an old pawn ticket in the listing.)

 

Until now, I wasn't aware of the term 'dead pawn'...Thanks!

 

I've been around enough fans of NA jewelry to pick up a bit.

 

both...
but only the seller on etsy....!!
not u personally.

 

Naming turquoises... Rather a guess or a seller tale...

 

I actually think think it’s fine if selling to call it a Vintage Southwestern Sand Cast Concho Concha Silver Link Turquoise Belt. (Agree it’s not a traditional concho). As always, I would never (rarely) name the turquoise and I would not use the word pawn. Yes, I think it’s Navajo but since it’s modern and unsigned you can’t use the term legally (in the US-no clue on other countries). All collectors of this genre will search Southwestern Silver Turquoise Belt…it’s all you need.