Is there a registry of hallmarks of Native American Jewelry
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:32 pm
Recently I posted an inquiry here asking about the maker of a bolo tie that I own. Thankfully, a member answered my question.
As a new member of this forum, I want to ask two questions that might have been answered before in this forum.
I have a few bolo ties, but many more jewelry of Native Americans from the Southwest that I purchased for my wife. These are necklaces, bracelets, rings, and broaches. Nearly all have image hallmarks, a few have embossed letters.
First, is there a book or other kinds of registry that identifies the makers of Indian jewelry from their hallmark? If so, where can one obtain same?
Second, is there a recommended way of preserving the jewelry? For example, I purchased for my wife (about 20 years ago) a necklace of beads made of silver, each bead embroidered with a Hopi-style insignia -- each bead was larger the one closer to the neck until it met the bottom then the beads became smaller back around to the neck hook. The weight of the necklace was substantial. My wife grew tired of polishing each bead with a cloth, so for the past 15 years the necklace has dwelled in a bank deposit vault.
In that deposit vault, much other of her Indian jewelry lies dormant. I guess it is tarnishing at a satisfactory rate. Should I remove & polish the jewelry, or simply let it become black with age? If my wife doesn't want to wear same, maybe my offspring will, or perhaps they will sell it after I croak.
As a new member of this forum, I want to ask two questions that might have been answered before in this forum.
I have a few bolo ties, but many more jewelry of Native Americans from the Southwest that I purchased for my wife. These are necklaces, bracelets, rings, and broaches. Nearly all have image hallmarks, a few have embossed letters.
First, is there a book or other kinds of registry that identifies the makers of Indian jewelry from their hallmark? If so, where can one obtain same?
Second, is there a recommended way of preserving the jewelry? For example, I purchased for my wife (about 20 years ago) a necklace of beads made of silver, each bead embroidered with a Hopi-style insignia -- each bead was larger the one closer to the neck until it met the bottom then the beads became smaller back around to the neck hook. The weight of the necklace was substantial. My wife grew tired of polishing each bead with a cloth, so for the past 15 years the necklace has dwelled in a bank deposit vault.
In that deposit vault, much other of her Indian jewelry lies dormant. I guess it is tarnishing at a satisfactory rate. Should I remove & polish the jewelry, or simply let it become black with age? If my wife doesn't want to wear same, maybe my offspring will, or perhaps they will sell it after I croak.