Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt Value Guide

This mid-20th century Navajo concho belt represents a pinnacle of Southwestern artistry, featuring traditional scalloped sterling silver discs set with vibrant turquoise cabochons. Its collectibility stems from the evolution of the 'closed face' design into the ornate, stone-set styles popularized between 1950 and 1970.

What Is Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt Worth?

The typical price range for Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt is $1,650 - $1,800 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The quality and origin of the turquoise stones, specifically the clarity and color of the blue-to-green cabochons.
• The total weight of the sterling silver and the complexity of the hand-stamped scalloped patterns.
• The physical condition of the leather belt and the integrity of the silver-to-leather attachments.
• Historical provenance or maker's marks that link the piece to a specific Navajo silversmith from the 1950-1970 era.

How to Identify Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt?

• Look for hand-hammered textures and traditional stamp work on the reverse and edges of the oval silver discs.
• Verify the presence of natural turquoise cabochons with characteristic matrix patterns consistent with mid-century Southwestern mines.
• Examine the buckle and conchos for a 'Sterling' mark or the absence of modern casting lines, indicating hand-fabricated construction.
• Check for copper or silver 'sliders' on the back of the conchos used to secure them to the leather strap.

History of Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt

The concho belt is a staple of Navajo jewelry, with origins tracing back to the 19th century when the Navajo adapted the design from Spanish and Mexican hair ornaments and Plains Indian belt decorations. Each concho is traditionally hand-stamped and hand-hammered, evolving from a closed face to including decorative turquoise settings like the mid-20th century examples seen here.