J1720 Herman Smith
Concho Belt by Navajo silversmith Herman Smith. The beautiful sterling silver belt with eleven 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" hand stamped conchos and buckle with Morenci turquoise in the center.. The conchos are on 1 1/1/4" x 52" black leather. We can custom fit the belt to any size.
Morenci Turquoise is mined in Southeastern Arizona. The turquoise has a unique matrix of irregular black pyrite. When polished, the matrix appears to be silver. It was one of the first turquoise to appear on the American market. The mine is depleted, making Morenci one of the more rare turquoise.
About the artist
Herman Smith
Herman Smith comes from a family of silversmiths. At the age of 13 he learned the art of making jewelry from his mother Mary C. Yazzie. He is the cousin of Terry and Calvin Martinez. Herman’s work is mostly traditional revival style and he is known for ingot style bracelets with deep stamp work in the tradition of the old master silversmiths of the Navajo Nation. He always uses heavy gauge sterling silver that is carefully oxidized to create an older traditional look.
Herman uses fine turquoise, coral and lapis in his traditional designs. Recently, he has been creating more contemporary designs, with channel inlay, as well. He uses very few stamps to make all different designs, and He is known for his detail stampwork, although he uses very few stamps to make detailed designs.
Over the years, he has experienced persistent back problems and undergone surgery and lived with some excruciating pain which periodically makes it impossible for him to smith silver.
