Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Watch Value Guide

This handcrafted Navajo watch represents a mid-century evolution of Southwestern Indigenous artistry, where traditional silversmithing was adapted for modern accessories. Featuring scalloped sterling silver tips set with four natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise cabochons, it is a prime example of the vibrant desert fashion popular between 1975 and 1985.

What Is Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Watch Worth?

The typical price range for Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Watch is $160 - $175 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise significantly impacts the $160-$175 valuation due to the mine's closure.
• The condition of the sterling silver scalloped tips, including the absence of deep scratches or heavy tarnish, preserves its market value.
• Functionality of the quartz movement timepiece and the elasticity of the stainless steel band.
• Authenticity of the Navajo 'cluster' style craftsmanship and the integrity of the original stone settings.

How to Identify Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Watch?

• Look for the 'Sterling' or '.925' hallmark stamped on the underside of the silver watch tips.
• Examine the turquoise for the characteristic uniform sky-blue color and lack of heavy matrix typical of the Sleeping Beauty mine.
• Verify the scalloped edge design and hand-set bezel construction around each of the four cabochons.
• Check for the stainless steel expansion band and quartz movement timepiece which are period-correct for the 1975-1985 era.

History of Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Watch

Beginning in the mid-20th century, Southwestern Indigenous artisans, particularly Navajo and Zuni silversmiths, began adapting traditional jewelry techniques to modern accessories like watch tips. This piece showcases the 'cluster' style often associated with mid-century Southwest design, utilizing the vibrant blue turquoise that became a hallmark of American desert fashion.