Old Navajo BOLO w/GEM GRADE TYRONE MINE (?) TURQUOISE! Sterling Silver pre-'57

Description

Navajo
Sterling Silver and Gem Grade Turquoise
Bolo Tie
Black Leather Braided Bolo Cord
Fancy Sterling Silver Bolo Tips
Dimensions
Pendant 1.55" X 1.3"
Heavy Fancy Sterling Tips 2.2" length
Lanyard length is 17.5 X 2 = 35"
29.2 grams = .94 Troy ounces
all measurement are approximate)
The US Quarter (.95"=24mm) and 0 Bill (2 5/8"=66mm) X (6 1/8"=155mm) is for scale
Old Gem Grade Turquoise Navajo Bolo Tie
This
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olo Tie was made by a talented Navajo artist using a high quality Turquoise Stone and a high level of skill in both design and jewelry construction! It is not stamp signed with a hallmark. It is also not stamped Sterling but is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver. It has a light tarnish on the face of the pendant. There is a very heavy patina on both the pendant and the Sterling Tips. The bolo looks as it should for having been lightly used by a careful owner. There are no dents, broken, cracked, chips, or loose Turquoise, noticeable scratches, etc. in the bolo pendant or the Sterling Bolo Tips. The Turquoise has a colorful matrix. It may be from a very somewhat obscure Tyrone Mine near Silver City, New Mexico. That mine in
has been producing Turquoise since perhaps as early as 600AD. Tyrone Turquise is a harder stone than most other Turquoise. The stone is quite deep in blue color and comforting to look at! To confuse matters, since I'm not a turquoise expert, It may from the another Arizona mine.  In any event, it is an exceptional stone and you may have the pleasure of doing the detective work. I'm certain that the future wearer of this will be approached by a "rock hound" or gemologist that will want to strike up a conversation and and render an expert opinion on the matter...
The Sterling Tips are in good shape. The friction clasp is fine and is most likely the best way to date this as being prior to when Bennett started making their mechanical clasps in 1957. The bolo cord has just been treated to condition it and it shows light signs of wear. It is soft and supple. I believe it will please you...
The design of the silverwork is somewhat simple and elegant. The Gem stone is showcased in a smooth bezel and displayed on an elegantly simple platform. Because the Turquoise is so stunning, most of this decoration is lost in the excitement! I love the remarkable blue color, concentrated matrix, and "depth" of the Turquoise!  It is a good weight for its size. I hope you are pleased with what you see...
As the Navajo say, "Walk in Beauty"
The "BOLO" Story and Myths
According to Wikipedia - Silversmith Victor Cedarstaff of Wickenburg, Arizona claims to have invented the bolo tie in the late 1940's and later patented his slide design.
According to and article in "Sunset Magazine" (April 2002) - Victor Cedarstaff was riding his horse one day and his hat blew off. Wary of losing the silver-trimmed hatband, he slipped it around his neck. His companion joked, "That is a nice-looking tie you're wearing, Vic."  An idea incubated, and Cedarstaff soon fashioned the first bola tie. (the name derived from bola, "boleadora", and Argantine lariat).
It is also said that similar creation has been around since about 1886-1888 that was devised by North American pioneers. There is one on display in the Zuni community that dates from that time.
As an Arizonan, I have heard for years that the bolo tie first became popular in about 1948. At that time there was a radio station in Wickenburg, Arizona that was promoting the bolo as a fashion statement for cowboys. It caught on and was adopted by ranchers. Soon, celebrities, politicians, musicains, and the movie set were sporting them. In the early 1950's they became the official neckware fo the State of Arizona and then an iternational sensation in the 1980's. Partner, this is a fad from the frontier town of Wickenburg that has caught on!
I ship anywhere
in the United States
for free. Insurance is included, of course...
I thank You and look forward to sharing a good experience!
Recommended Reference Books
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L"
"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright
THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart
"ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman
"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3" - Barbara & Ed Bell- Volume
"KNIFEWING AND RAINBOW MAN IN ZUNI JEWELRY"
for reference only b346