Vintage Turquoise Inlay Sterling Silver Bracelet Cuff Southwestern Style

Offering a wonderful vintage sterling silver cuff bracelet featuring inlaid turquoise and hand stampings. The turquoise has a great matrix including iron pyrite inclusions and a pretty bright blue color. Solid, well made hand wrought piece. It is a smaller size, please note the measurements below. Due to its straight borders, this bracelet stacks well with others.

MATERIAL Sterling silver

GEMSTONE Turquoise

SIZE Bracelet cuff measures 6 inches on a cone bracelet sizer. Measures inside 5.125 inches with a 0.875 inch gap. Can adjust slightly up or down. Will fit best on about a 5.5 to 5.75 inch wrist so this is a great smaller cuff which are generally harder to find. The cuff is 0.375 inches wide at the widest section. Weighs 14.1 grams.

MARKS Unmarked which is typical of pre 1970s Southwestern handmade jewelry. Tests as at least sterling silver with jeweler’s acid and a test stone.

AGE Estate jewelry circa 1960s

SYMBOLISM or HISTORY Turquoise means Turkish stone because it came to Europe via the Turkish trade route. Turquoise is thought to be protection from the evil eye and prevents falls. It is a stone of purpose, bringing happiness to the wearer, can make friends of enemies and is symbolic of generosity and affection. Turquoise is one of the birthstones for December babies.

CONDITION Softened patina on the silver. Viewed under loupe magnification, the turquoise inlay displays various fissures and marks but this is part of the beauty of turquoise and not chips or cracks from damage. As this piece was acquired second hand, assume the turquoise has been stabilized which is a common practice due to it being a porous stone. The addition of a resin stabilizer hardens the turquoise and can enhance the color. The last photo is taken indoors in natural light. Excellent, vintage condition.