Morenci Natural Turquoise Silver Belt Buckle by Navajo Artist Ray Morton of Whirling Winds shop Vintage 1970s. Nizhóní means Beautiful in Navajo. The buckle was made in the 1970s, Im thinking mid to late 70s when Ray did this type of detailed meticulous craftsmanship that was certainly very lovingly created and was definitely time consuming. The stunning turquoise cabochon was probably cut in the 1970s although it could have been cut earlier. The loop on the back of the buckle is a little over 2-1/4 inches when measured inside it, Id suggest a belt no wider than 2-1/4 inches so you have some room to pull it and so it doesnt scrape the sides on the loop. The real value in this piece besides the amazing design and craftsmanship and skill, along with a true labor of love for his work by Navajo Artist Ray Morton is the turquoise, this high end grade of turquoise is worth more per carat or gram than most pieces of jewelry youll see for sale. This amazing and beautiful belt buckle has a gorgeous silver patina, it has been wrapped in many layers of bubble wrap and packed safely away in a drawer for many years. The silver may look dull to some, but I decided to not clean it since some collectors like a silver tarnish patina and if you bought it you can always clean it to satisfy your own desire for the level of patina you want to remove from a little to sparkling shining like new sterling silver. Im presenting this one of a kind unique and rare high-grade, high-end Huge Morenci Turquoise cabochon from the closed Morenci turquoise mine in Arizona which is hand crafted into a very cool and stunning belt buckle like no other youll ever find. My family has been collecting Native American art and jewelry since the 1950s when they drove their trailers and cars each winter to Arizona and New Mexico and then on summer vacations. We have a long history with Fine quality and unique Native American jewelry and art. First and 4th photos were taken in natural sunlight, all others in indoor lighting. This store Searchingforfun Collectibles is what our family has loved and collected for decades and Im always searching for fun things to collect and sell on here. Please notice that the lights and flash have created white spots in some photos and this is Not white spots or areas in the turquoise, but just in the photos. Approximately 7 to 7-1/8 inches in length at the longest measurement of this free-form cabochon and approximately 4-4/8 inches wide at the most, please see photo with tape measurer pressed down on back of buckle. Thank you for looking. Most likely this was specially made for an important person since you can tell by the detail of the work and that this high-end high-grade HugeTurquoise Stone is very rare and expensive. You simply dont find quality turquoise anymore of this caliber and size, these types of beautiful cabochons are very difficult if not impossible to find today. Well designed and made with intricate detailing and fine craftsmanship. I guarantee this to be a genuine Native American artist made piece. Gorgeous Beautiful One of a kind. Items are not included such as other nearby jewelry in the photos, they are not included and coins and the dollar bill are only to show size, they are not included. Stamped with Navajo Artist RM for Ray Morton and WW flipped over underneath RM for the Whirling Winds shop which Ray was associated with when he made this amazing belt buckle. Tests as Sterling silver, turns red with the test solution as. 925 Sterling does, but cant see or find a stamp for Sterling unless it was along an edge that was covered after being lovingly and intricately hand made, possibly it was folded over along an edge. As with older vintage pieces there are fine scratches on the silver and turquoise that dont take away from the beauty of this fine piece of jewelry. This large rare cabochon has a slight wave look from the side as it isnt a completely flat stone and the stone was cut to show these slight wave-like indentations which enhances its uniqueness and beauty. Please see All photos which are all part of the full description. This clearly is natural turquoise and not man made plastic and not stabilized. Ive had this stored away in my collection for nearly 15 years, it is time for it to have a new home and a loving owner to wear it proudly. Please use the photos as description details also as they show better than words can describe how gorgeous this 22.3 ounce belt buckle is. I always very carefully wrap all items with lots of bubble wrap as if it was Grandmas fine China and pack everything to make sure its secure in a cardboard box with no room to slide around to make sure it arrives safely to you. Please read the full description as Ive included a great deal of information on this belt buckle and the photos give good detail also. There are fine scratches on the turquoise from where the previous owner was wearing it I was told, but they dont distract from its beauty and this amazing natural turquoise color and this spider web pattern. There is a sort of scuff mark on one end where the turquoise was cut and buffed and polished like the rest of the piece, but you can see very close up if you look for it. I never noticed it while wearing it and no one did since its an eye-popping, breathtaking WOW!!!! Piece of fine high quality jewelry that makes peoples mouths fall open and gasp at its beauty. You can have an expert belt maker most likely in your town that may make or fix shoes and other leather products create a belt in your size that will best fit you and your style if you dont already have a belt this will fit on. If the postal carrier misses you at your home they will take it to the Post Office and you can sign for it and pick it up there. This is to protect both you and me from thieves or fraud especially during Christmas season. The item “Morenci Turquoise Sterling Silver Belt Buckle Navajo Ray Morton Whirling Winds” is in sale since Thursday, November 28, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Western Americana\Belt Buckles”. The seller is “searchingforfun” and is located in Vincennes, Indiana. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Featured Refinements: Sterling Silver Belt Buckle
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Handmade: Yes