$420.00
Turquoise has traveled a remarkable path through the history of Southwestern jewelry. The earliest turquoise used in this region likely came from the ancient Cerrillos mines of New Mexico. As tourism expanded in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
Golden Hill Turquoise | Navajo
Turquoise has traveled a remarkable path through the history of Southwestern jewelry. The earliest turquoise used in this region likely came from the ancient Cerrillos mines of New Mexico. As tourism expanded in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, silversmiths began working with turquoise from Nevada and Arizona to satisfy growing demand. By the 1990s, Chinese turquoise had become common throughout the market. Today, artists and collectors appreciate stones sourced from across the world, each bringing its own character and story.
Golden Hill turquoise is one of the newer and most distinctive stones to enter the world of Native American jewelry. Mined in Kazakhstan, this material is admired for its unusual color palette. The blues often carry a soft lavender hue, creating a look unlike traditional Southwestern turquoise. Rich brown matrix flows naturally through the stone, giving every cut a dramatic and painterly appearance.
Navajo silversmith Melvin Francis showcases that beauty in this traditional sterling silver cuff. The oval Golden Hill turquoise cabochon sits at the center of the bracelet, framed with twisted wire and accented by hand-formed silver drops and wire details. Francis pairs the stone with classic Navajo stamp work and a three-wire shank cuff design that gives the bracelet depth, texture, and balance.
The contrast between the cool blue-lavender tones of the turquoise and the warm brown matrix makes this piece especially eye-catching. At the same time, the traditional silverwork keeps the bracelet timeless and easy to wear. It is the kind of cuff that feels equally at home in a serious collection or as an everyday statement piece.
Melvin Francis continues the tradition of Navajo silversmithing with jewelry that highlights the individuality of each stone while honoring classic Southwestern design.
Bracelet Width – 5/8″
Bracelet Opening – 1 1/4″
Wrist Size – 6 3/4″
Weight – .915 ozt
1 in stock
It’s a familiar story in Native American jewelry: one generation passes the craft to the next. That’s how Navajo silversmith Melvin Francis got his start. From the time he was eight, Melvin sat at his father Ted Francis’s workbench—watching, helping, and slowly learning the skills that would shape his life. Today, Melvin still uses many of the same tools his late father once held in his hands.
