Bracelet c. 1940

This bracelet, made by an unknown Navajo artist, is a study in turquoise and silver. The stones vary in shape and size, each one unique, like a painter mixing different blues and greens on a palette. It's clear that the maker took great care in selecting and arranging each stone. Look closely and you'll notice the matrix – those little veins and flecks of brown – running through the largest turquoise at the bracelet's center. Those veins remind us of the earth from which it came and the time over which the stone was formed. The worn texture speaks to the bracelet's age and use; it’s not just an object but a piece of lived history. The Navajo have long been known for their skill in working with silver and turquoise, crafting objects that are both beautiful and deeply meaningful. Artists like Art Smith come to mind, bending metal into organic forms in their jewelry. Here, the bracelet is more than just decoration; it's a conversation between earth, artist, and wearer, spanning generations.