Herman Smith Navajo Sterling Silver Braided Collar

Navajo Sterling Silver Necklace Collar or Neck Bar

Horsekeeping LLC - Made in USA - since 1997

Herman Smith - Navajo
Sterling Silver and Kingman Turquoise Collar
or Neck Bar
HK Item #COL91

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Authentic Native American Sterling Silver necklace collar or neck bar by Navajo silversmith Herman Smith

Material	sterling silver, Read about silver Kingman turquoise, Read about stones
Size	1/4" wide 5 1/4" across widest portion 13" end to end 3" gap between ends Fits like a 15" to 18" choker on an average size neck
Weight	31 grams
Hallmarks	stamped: HS Sterling
Artist	Herman Smith, Navajo

Authentic Native American Sterling Silver braided necklace collar or neck bar by Navajo silversmith Herman Smith

Stamped with patterns on the inside as well as on the outside

A collar, or neck bar, is great for wearing pendants!
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Herman Smith - Navajo
Sterling Silver and Kingman Turquoise
Collar or Neck Bar

COL91 - $660 plus s/h
(ONLY ONE AVAILABLE)

Authentic Native American Sterling Silver braided necklace collar or neck bar by Navajo silversmith Herman Smith

Native American Indian Jewelry; Navajo Sterling Silver Braided collar

The photo above of the back side of this collar shows what we mean when we refer to "the gap" between the ends. These collars are flexible and open easily to go around your neck.

Stabilized Kingman Turquoise

The Kingman mine, located in Mohave County, Arizona, has been operated by the Colbaugh family since the 1970's. It is known for producing bright blue stones with white and black matrix, considered by many to be the best turquoise in North America. Old authentic natural Kingman turquoise is extremely rare.

In the 1950s S. A. "Chuck" Colbaugh developed a modern method for stabilizing the color and strength of turquoise. It is an expensive process that takes over 3 months to assure that the turquoise does not crack while being treated. Basically, the moisture is removed from the stone and replaced with an optically clear resin, the same type as used in jet fighter windows. The turquoise is then allowed to dry naturally for two to three months. Although other mines have turquoise stabilization facilities, those at the Kingman mine are widely regarded as the best.

Marty Colbaugh (Chuck Colbaugh's grandson) now runs the Kingman mine and continues the stabilizing tradition began by his grandfather. He says if natural turquoise is not treated, it can become oxidized with oils from the skin and change color. The products that Kingman uses for stabilizing turquoise are clear and no dyes are ever used so the natural turquoise color is preserved and no discoloration occurs.