Navajo Coral Concho Belt

Navajo sterling concho belt with coral nuggets, beads and rope surround. 11 conchos 2 1/2" with larger buckle 3" x 2 1/2" on black leather belt. Trunk pie...

Navajo concho belt with rectangular turquoise slabs, surrounded by small stones. Signed RS. The turquoise is from the Kingman Mine in Arizona. Marked ster...

Signed LMB. Marked sterling; 11 conchos total. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total Belt Length 62 1/2" Leather; conchos 2 1/4"D The word “concho” sometimes spelled “concha”, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell. Concho belts reportedly began appearing in Navajo country in the late 1860s. Other Native Americans including Zuni and Hopi also made traditional concho belts before long. Concho belts can cost into the thousands of dollars depending upon the craftsmanship, amount of silver, rarity of turquoise and stones used. Belts in the upper end of the price scales are usually made before the turn of the century. Buyers should deal with reputable dealers as many fakes and look-a-likes exist. A well-made belt with age to it will fetch a bigger premium and hold its value better. The earliest concho belts are now referred to as “First Phase” belts. This style of belt was made before Native silversmith had learned much about soldering. The conchos were hammered out from melted coins, cut, and filed into shape, engraved and a diamond shape slot was cut out of the middle of the concho, with a bar left across the center of the diamond shaped slot for the leather loop. Conchos that required no soldering are generally thought to be made from 1860-1880. Second phase conchos were done 1890-1900s in which silversmith began to solder. Third phase conchos is when you start to see the “butterfly” or “bow” appear between conchos and the use of turquoise as an adornment. A butterfly (bow) is a smaller concho in between bigger conchos. A belt with butterflies and sometimes turquoise would be from the early 1900s – 1930s. The timelines may slightly differentiate depending upon who you ask. Natives first had concho belts for personal use only, but around the turn of the last century, tourist demand had kicked in and a new outlet emerged. belts & buckles jewelry silver belts conchos navajo needlepoint southwest turquoise...

Carved ivory bighorns with Blue Kingman Mine turquoise. Wonderful patina. Original leather; nine conchos total. Signed A.J.M. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total belt length 56"; buckle 3 1/2" x 5"; conchos 3" x 4" The word “concho” sometimes spelled “concha”, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell. Concho belts reportedly began appearing in Navajo country in the late 1860s. Other Native Americans including Zuni and Hopi also made traditional concho belts before long. Concho belts can cost into the thousands of dollars depending upon the craftsmanship, amount of silver, rarity of turquoise and stones used. Belts in the upper end of the price scales are usually made before the turn of the century. Buyers should deal with reputable dealers as many fakes and look-a-likes exist. A well-made belt with age to it will fetch a bigger premium and hold its value better. The earliest concho belts are now referred to as “First Phase” belts. This style of belt was made before Native silversmith had learned much about soldering. The conchos were hammered out from melted coins, cut, and filed into shape, engraved and a diamond shape slot was cut out of the middle of the concho, with a bar left across the center of the diamond shaped slot for the leather loop. Conchos that required no soldering are generally thought to be made from 1860-1880. Second phase conchos were done 1890-1900s in which silversmith began to solder. Third phase conchos is when you start to see the “butterfly” or “bow” appear between conchos and the use of turquoise as an adornment. A butterfly (bow) is a smaller concho in between bigger conchos. A belt with butterflies...

Shadowbox belt buckle with multi coral nuggets. Marked sterling silver. Made by Navajo silversmith J. Begay. Stunning oxblood coral stones surrounded by twisted rope border and sterl...

Navbajo Kingman turquoise and bear claw bracelet with small nugget of red coral. Stones and claw set in sterling silver surrounded by leaves, scrolls and bea...

A Museum Quality silver-gilt belt buckle with enamel decoration, and teardrop shaped coral and dating to circa 1830, from Saframpolis (Safranbolu...

Beautifully made, one of a kind, brass and red enameled belt buckle. It could be used as a large necklace pendant as well.

Stunning one of a kind brass buckle enameled in a raspberry pink tone.

An archaeological-revival coral and gold Spartan diadem, in the form of a gold band with seven concave discs each set with a cabochon coral, alternating with eight floral motifs each set with a small cabochon coral, all with gold wirework decorations of Etruscan style, made in Naples circa 1840, bearing gold hallmarks N3 with the profile of Parthenope, gross weight 94 grams. A gorgeous and sumptuous Spartan diadem, made in the mid-nineteenth century in Italy. Beginning in the early nineteenth century, jewellery inspired by the Ancient World became very popular. This diadem is made from bright yellow gold in which is set seven glowing orange cabochon-cut coral stones within carved gold discs. Further gold wirework and smaller coral stones add to the beauty of this piece, which is simple and bold. By family repute, this diadem, purchased in England during the early part of the 20th century, was once owned by Empress Eugénie of France. Winterhalter's portrait of the Empress in 1864 depicts her wearing a gold diadem similar in design to this one. Eugénie loved jewels and as well as enjoying the sumptuous French crown jewels...

This antique 19th century filigree belt buckle is made of 10 karat yellow gold. The rectangular-shaped buckle is embellished with filigree knots a...

A blackened steel and 18 karat (18K) yellow gold Damascene belt buckle designed as a rectangle with inlaid gold designs of angels and geometric lines in...