How to Spot Quality in Navajo Jewelry: A Collector’s Guide
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How to Spot Quality in Navajo Jewelry
Construction Tells the First Story
- Clean solder seams, no pits or puddles
- Bezels sit even and hug every stone edge
- Saw patterns are usually asymmetrical from one side to the other
Reading the Stones
- Test for dye by rubbing the stone with a cotton swap; it may leave a dye residue when rubbed. Acetone may also be applied in inconspicuous areas.
- Heating a needle or small pin and poking the stone can also test for resins and artificial materials.
- In some cases of low and medium grade turquoise, the surface may have a chalky texture.
- Most natural stones will have some pitting as part of the normal forming process.
Hallmarks and Documentation
Check a hallmark database or request provenance. Here are two reliable resources. Keep in mind, some jewelry may use a combination of names, pictorials, and quality stamps:
Ask for process photos or studio shots. Makers who build each piece can show work in progress.
Final Check
Authentic Navajo jewelry carries precision, balanced stones, and a hallmark you can trace. Trust your eye, then verify with records.
Collect with Confidence
Browse the latest hand fabricated pieces by Enoch Michael and receive no-questions-asked returns if the piece is not the right match.