Monumental Wilson Padilla Turquoise Cuff

A large turquoise-set cuff, fabricated in sterling silver by the Diné (Navajo) silversmith Wilson Padilla. This bracelet features a pair of natural, untreated, turquoise gems, cut in freeform shapes— the top gem (green) was mined at the Carico Lake mine, and the bottom (blue) is from the #8 mine. These one-of-a-kind gems are flanked by a pair of silver sheets that have been embellished with careful file-work, and a sawtooth edge, to resemble a pair of wings. The cabochons are held in bezels that are decorated with stamping and filing; around them lay a handful of silver raindrops and two pairs of weighty, file-work bars. The bracelet's base is made up of five, heavy, half-round wires. This is marked Wilson Padilla, on the reverse.

This typically "American" turquoise is especially appealing for its unique display of colors and matrix patterns. Both of these Nevada turquoise mines produce highly-valuable and collectable turquoise— the #8 mine has long been mined-out, and is no longer producing material. The Carico Lake mine produces a very small amount of turquoise material.

Materials

Sterling Silver
Turquoise

Age

1960 - 1970

Dimensions

Inside circumference measures approx 5 3/4"; gap measures approx 1 3/4"; bracelet face measures 3 1/16"; green turquoise is approx 35 mm x 15 mm; blue turquoise is approx 35 mm x 21 mm.