Men’s Turquoise Nugget Belt Buckle | White Brass | Antique c.1930’s Burton’s Gems and Opals Outlet Stores

A Bit About The Earrings:

Handmade Navajo belt buckle from the 1930’s with a 1970’s color-etched mother of pearl centerpiece.

Details, details…

The Stones: Turquoise and Mother of Pearl

• 4 polished turquoise nuggets
  
• turquoise measurements:
• 23.44mm x 20.38mm
• 16.98mm x 16.10mm
• 21.92mm x 17.58mm
• 24.03mm x 18.87mm
• likely turquoise origin: Royston Mining District, Nevada
• 1 etched oval cabochon cut mother of pearl shell
• mother of pearl measurements: 58.09mm (~2.3″) x 86.18mm (~3.4″)
• mother of pearl etched with the motif of a Native American riding a horse in color

The Piece: Handmade Bezel Set Belt Buckle

• white brass buckle and findings
• stainless steel bezel
• approximate height: 3.25″
• apprxoimate width: 5.75″
• thickness: 12.52mm (including mother of pearl)
• weight: 235.94 grams

Additional Notes: On August 9th, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented executive order 6814, calling for the seizure of all silver in the continental United States.  Jewelry artisans were heavily impacted during the era of this order, having to switch to less forgiving mediums and materials.

This particular Navajo turquoise buckle was handmade from white brass during the era.  It is unclear whether or not the mother of pearl etching orignally belonged to the piece, though the bezel made from stainless steel indicates that it could possibly have been a later addition (as opposed to a repair job).  Conservatively, we date the mother of pearl piece to the 1970’s.