American West Purses, Leather Handbags, Southwestern Jewelry, Western Decor

Navajo Indian Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt.

This is a classic of the southwest. This Concho belt is called "THE ROCKY" due to the size, it was designed to wear in small looped jeans known as Rockies (Rocky Mountain Jeans). Genuine Turquoise nuggets set on each of the hand stamped concho's ( 1" by 1-3/8") and on the detailed hand stamped belt buckle (2-1/8" by 2-1/2"). Made in our shop. The hand made nickel Silver concho's are strung on a narrow 3/4" leather belt that can be cut for easy size adjustment. Made in our shop. Stamped Hand Made, signed by the Navajo artist. We can fit this one for you, just let us know your size. A traditional Southwest look for any occasion. Concho belts are one of the most striking accessory of Indian jewelry.

In Indian folklore it is said that there was once a chief with turquoise colored skin. One day he was running from his enemies in the hot desert. Whenever he stopped to rest, his perspiration ran onto the ground, collected in rocks and became turquoise.

There are many legends about Turquoise; The Pima consider it to bring good fortune and strength and that it helped overcome illness. The Zuni believe that blue turquoise was male and of the sky and green turquoise was female and of the earth. Pueblo Indians thought that its color was stolen from the sky. In Hopi legend the lizard who travels between the above and the below, excretes turquoise and that the stone can hold back floods. The Apache felt that turquoise on a gun or bow made it shoot straight. The Navajo consider it as good fortune to wear and believe it could appease the Wind Spirit.

Navajos comprise the largest tribe in the joined states, living on the largest reservation which is situated in northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona. A feeling of tribal strength is expressed in their own name, The Navajo Nation.

The Navajo were the first to produce jewelry that required the working of metal. Their love of metal working can be traced to the Spanish arrival in the Southwest. The silver bridles and horse trappings of the Conquistadors were admired and often stolen by the raiding Navajos. Later when the area became part of Mexico, Mexican silversmiths traded jewelry to wealthy Navajo for sheep. Jewelry became a symbol of wealth.

Man, from the earliest times, has considered the adornment of his person to be as necessary as food and shelter. The Indians of the Southwest are no exception. They have loved fine jewelry, esteemed it as wealth, and worn it profusely. Today the use of Indian jewelry has spread far beyond its original boundaries and its appreciation has become world-wide.

Please measure your waist and allow us to know your exact waist size in the 'comment box' as you check out so we can make sure that this concho belt is perfect for you. For concho belts that come with leather, if you do not give us your size specifications the leather belt will come to you unpunched.

We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it’s important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.

CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC