Larger Navajo Sterling Silver & Morenci Turquoise Belt Buckle

ca. 1970  

.875" H x 3.5" L x 2.875" W 

Hand Crafted from Sterling Silver and 1 Large Turquoise Stone with Belt Bar that Fits up to a 1.4" Leather 3 oz/85 grams An outstanding Sunburst or Sunflower Design with a Natural High Grade Turquoise Setting Stone without Scratches or Chips 

Excellent Condition

Navajo belt buckles are iconic pieces of Native American jewelry from the Southwestern United States, handcrafted by Navajo silversmiths using traditional techniques like stamping, overlay, and sandcasting. These buckles often feature sterling silver (92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper for durability) set with high-quality turquoise stones. Morenci turquoise, mined from the Morenci Mine in Arizona (now closed since 1999), is prized for its rare deep blue-green color with distinctive dark brown or black spiderweb matrix, symbolizing protection, healing, and good fortune in Navajo culture. "Larger" typically refers to oversized designs (3-4 inches or more in width) that make a bold statement, often weighing 80-150 grams due to heavy silver construction. They fit belts up to 1.5-2 inches wide and are both functional accessories and collectible art.