A variety of link bracelets, most Native American made with a few vintage costume jewelry and a few Mexican bracelets.
The traditional southwestern Native American bracelet is a cuff bracelet.
Vintage 9 Stone Kingman Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet – C.T.E. Sterling. Raymond Etsitty, Navajo
But a cuff is not for everyone and especially some women, so in response to market demand, along the way, Navajo, Hopi and Zuni artists began making link bracelets.
Link bracelets are a great alternative to cuff bracelet – they are light, loose, airy and have a nice movement and feel to them. They are great for summer.
And if you are like me and want to wear more than one bracelet at a time, link bracelets make a nice addition on the same wrist as a watch, cuff bracelet or bangle bracelet.
12 K G.F. and Sterling Silver by Ken and Mary Bill – Navajo
Rhodochrosite, Mother of Pearl and Opal Inlay by Shirley Tso – Navajo
Southwest Native Americans learned the art of silversmithing from plateros, Mexican silversmiths. Therefore I am including some Mexican link bracelets in this group to show various features.
Two Mexican-made bracelets stamped MEXICO 925
The first Native American link bracelets started appearing in the Fred Harvey era and were made of copper.
Copper Thunderbird Link Bracelet – Fred Harvey Era but no markings
Not all link bracelets are created equal. They take a lot of work to put together. Because they are somewhat “mechanical”, i.e. they have moving parts, either they work well or they don’t. That aim of this article is to point out some of the variables so you can choose the perfect link bracelet.
First of all, these are the main styles with materials most commonly used in Native American Link bracelets.
SILVER – Sterling Silver Stamped Bead Link Bracelet by Navajo Marie Yazzie.
STORYTELLER – Larry Lincoln, Navajo Sterling Silver and Gold Storyteller Link Bracelet
SILVER AND GOLD – 12 K G.F. and STERLING link bracelet with decorative box latch.
CONCHA STYLE – Lambert Perry, Navajo sterling silver concha style link bracelet
INLAY – Rhodochrosite Inlay by Navajo Shirley Tso
STONE – Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cluster
LEATHER – Concha Belt Style by Navajo Danny Martinez
Next, how are the various panels attached to each other?
HINGES
RINGS
How do the ends fasten?
ADJUSTABLE WITH TOGGLE AND RINGS – Lambert Perry, Navajo
BOX CLASP WITH TAB INSERT – Alonzo Mariano, Navajo
LOBSTER CLAW CLASP THAT ATTACHES TO RINGS – Navajo Scott Skeets
SPRING RING CLASP – Marie Yazzie, Navajo
SISTER CLASP – Sister (Scissor) Clasp on vintage copper Thunderbird Link Bracelet
BUCKLE – Concha belt style – Danny Martinez, Navajo
FOLD OVER CLASP – OPEN on Sterling Silver Marcasite Bracelet stamped 925
FOLD OVER CLASP – CLOSED on Sterling Silver Marcasite Bracelet stamped 925
PEG WITH LATCH (KEEPER)
HIDDEN – Vintage Topaz link bracelet (from my mother’s jeweler box) with hidden latch
What are some other features?
SAFETY CHAIN WITH SPRING RING CLASP – Tillie Jon, Navajo Storyteller Overlay Link Bracelet with Box Latch and Safety Chain
SAFETY CHAIN WITH LOBSTER CLAW CLASP – Stephen Haloo, Zuni Snake Eye Link Bracelet with box latch and safety chain
SAFETY LATCH (KEEPER) – Lapis Link Bracelet stamped 950 (greater silver content than Sterling) with box latch and safety clasp (keeper).
SAFETY LATCH – Box Latch with Keeper on top edge
HERE ARE TWO UNIQUE HINGED CUFFS
HINGED CUFF – Yazzie Navajo Link Cuff Bracelet with Amber
HINGED LINK CUFF – Jay Boyd Inlay Bracelet
HINGED LINK CUFF – Jay Boyd Inlay Bracelet
Remember, you will be putting a link bracelet on with one hand, so choose one that has a fastener you can easily operate.
Although many link bracelets are adjustable, be sure to choose a length that will allow the bracelet to fit like you want – snug in place, loose, or actively moving.
I hope that this article has helped you find the missing link in your jewelry collection !
Paula
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