J1877 Raymond Beard
Sterling Silver concho belt with Fox Turquoise by Navajo silversmith Raymond Beard. The belt consists of six hand stamped conchos with nine Fox Turquoise cabochons of various colors in each concho and seven hand stamped butterflies with three Fox turquoise. Each concho is 2 3/4” x 2 ½” and the butterflies are 2 1/4” x 1 1/2”. The 3 1/4” x 2 3/4” repousse, hand stamped buckle has twelve Fox turquoise stones. Raymond Beard (“R BRD”) is stamped on the back. The 1 1/2” black leather belt is 44” and can be made for any size.
The Fox Turquoise mine, located near Lander County was discovered in the early 1900’s. The Fox mine, once known as the Cortez, has been one Nevada’s largest producing mines for about a century. The Fox mine is still producing today. Turquoise from this mine is very hard and runs from shades of green to an aqua blue.
About the artist
Raymond Beard
Raymond Beard is a native Navajo, who started working silver in 1978. He works in several traditional styles, including Zuni needlepoint cluster and inlay, Black Hills styles and the traditional Navajo silver styles he learned from his family.
When we asked Raymond if he has a favorite piece, he said he is most proud of a large concho belt he made with a crow dancer in the middle, and clusters of stone surrounding it.
Today, Raymond works out of Gallup, N.M.
