Super item!!! Spectacular and RARE! Vintage Navajo Unisex bracelet - very substantial/heavy, thick and well made! but not too heavy to wear comfortably! It came from an experienced collector and according to him it set with turquoise from different mines and the artist who made it - Navajo Dorothy Ashley was born June 1, 1940, in Pine Springs. Died 2009. this is really beautiful item and you will love it! it is in excellent vintage condition! the stones are shiny and well polished! my wrist is 6" and it is comfortable to wear if adjusted a little but still has room, probably up to 7" will be fine, and sure can be adjusted carefully to a bugger size - but please see photos near ruler. the stones are Hard and Gem quality USA turquoise, they are backed (Backing of turquoise is not widely known outside of the Native American and Southwestern United States jewellery trade). All these stones are different - with close inspection you can see their shades/veins/patterns are all different! it is amazing to observe! A real rare treasure - like a bouquet if flowers of different types! and some of them are smooth and some are nuggets! Turquoise has always been valued as an ornamental gem, often considered a symbol of MALE POWER. Anselmus de Boot, court physician of Emperor Rudolph II, wrote in 1609 that Turquoise was so highly regarded by men that no man considered his hand to be well adorned unless he wore a fine Turquoise. [Kunz, 111] Today, we know Turquoise empowers men and women equally, and worn or carried, it is a talisman of luck, success, ambition and creativity. [Eason, 239] please read very important info about Backing : from a popular online source- "Since FINER turquoise is often found as thin seams, it may be glued to a base of stronger foreign material as a means of reinforcement. These stones are termed "backed," and it is standard practice that all thinly cut turquoise in the Southwestern United States is backed. Native indigenous peoples of this region, because of their considerable use and wearing of turquoise, have found that backing increases the durability of thinly cut slabs and cabochons of turquoise. They observe that if the stone is not backed it will often crack. Backing of turquoise is not widely known outside of the Native American and Southwestern United States jewellery trade. Backing does NOT diminish the value of HIGH quality turquoise, and indeed the process is expected for most thinly cut American commercial gemstones" smoke free environment and fast shipping! thank you I want to give a special thank you to all of the funs of this amazing bracelet and your warm and kind and full of admiration messages which always pleasant to receive! thank you to all of you! Turquoise Uses and Purposes - Overview For centuries Turquoise has been recognized as possessing the power to protect riders from injury due to falls. First used as amulets by Turkish soldiers, on their persons and attached to their bridles and trappings, it later came to be used for protection against falls of any kind. [Kunz, 109] Turquoise is also reputed to be influenced by the physical condition of the person who wears it. Historically, Turquoise is credited with the property of securing friendly regard, verifying the traditional saying that “he, or she, who owns a Turquoise will never want for a friend.” [Fernie, 37] In the Orient, a Turquoise ring was worn as a protector against all things evil. The proverb states: “Given by a loving hand it brings with it happiness and good fortune.” However, the ring emitted protective energy only if the stone was given by a friend. It was believed to restore clear vision to the mind when the thinking became muddled and thus ensured good fortune. [Mella, 111] Turquoise has always been valued as an ornamental gem, often considered a symbol of male power. Anselmus de Boot, court physician of Emperor Rudolph II, wrote in 1609 that Turquoise was so highly regarded by men that no man considered his hand to be well adorned unless he wore a fine Turquoise. [Kunz, 111] Today, we know Turquoise empowers men and women equally, and worn or carried, it is a talisman of luck, success, ambition and creativity. [Eason, 239] In the workplace, Turquoise promotes leadership, assists relocation or regular travel associated with career, and helps avoid unwise investments. It helps overcome writer’s block, and is a stone of clear communication when giving information; an especially good amulet for those who work in the law, or for local or central government. [Eason, 41, 239] Turquoise is especially recommended for accountants and computer operators for mental relaxation, for those who work in radio or television to release anxiety, and for laborers to protect from bodily harm. [Mella, 129-132] As a crystal for travel, Turquoise protects you and your possessions against theft, loss or attack, helps prevent accidents, especially falls, and even guards your pet. [Eason, 41-42] Attached to a collar, bridle, or cage, Turquoise prevents animals from straying or being stolen, and makes horses sure-footed and obedient to their riders. [Eason, 239] |