First Post in a while; Dug a Large Silver Navajo Ring

[Hogtown Hunter]

Back in the first week of June I fractured my leg in two places. Had surgery to put a plate and screws in it. Last week they allowed me to walk without the boot. I've been sitting at home torturing myself by reading the posts on here for the last two months and had to get out to do some hunting. Even with a gimpy leg. There was a sidewalk tearout/replacement I'd been wanting to go check but the job was already finished. They threw a lot of the dirt next to the new sidewalk so decided I would give it a quick try. I was finding only clad and not very old clad at that so decided to head home. Another on the way back to my vehicle story I get a high silver tone. When i look down i see a ring sticking up out of the dirt. Didn't look very silvery to me at the time but once i polished it off at home i could see the Sterling engraving on back. I tested with 18k gold acid and it was positive for silver. The band is pretty thin but the front is thick and has some weight to it. I know some of that is the turquoise stone. But I was happy to get out and find some treasure again. Happy Hunting.

 

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[CreakyDigger]

That is one fine way to get started again!

 

[GaRebel1861]

Welcome back to digging.

 

[RichsEquinox]

Nice finds, congrats!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Pretty ring.

 

[Lenrac2]

Nice ring!! Congrats!!

 

[1637]

wow ,great find
brad

 

[Red-Coat]

The ring is nice but not native Navajo work. There is much argument and lot of misinformation on the net about attribution of the conjoined ‘JP’ mark and its date period… both by eBay sellers and sometimes on sites that should really know better. Some attribute it to the Navajo artisan Jane Popovich, some attribute it to the Zuni artisans Jason and Pearl Ukestine, and some say it’s from the Pacific Jewelry Company (often with claims it’s from the 1920s-1930s). Both the riveted construction and the serifs on the mark give it away as being ‘tourist-ware’ from Pacific Jewelry.



The company did indeed begin in the 1920s or 1930s but that particular mark was registered on 22 October 1962 by “Alex Heiman, doing business as Pacific Jewelry Manufacturing Company”. The company was one of many that sprang up in the first part of the 1900s to meet the ever-increasing demand for “Indian” jewelry, by mass producing on assembly lines that employed few or no Native Americans. Operating from Santa Monica, they became the largest producer in California, as a wholesaler of “Indian Type” silver jewelry to retail outlets for tourists.

 

[Hogtown Hunter]

Yes. I wasn't trying to mislead anyone by the title. I've found several Najavo style rings in the past and know that most are from the 60s- 80s. I identified the maker. Pacific Jewelers. Probably made 1962-1984. I was just happy to find a ring. Its been awhile. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Hogtown Hunter]

I'm in Florida. There's no Navajo Indians here.

 

[scruggs]

Cool finds you made!

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[SusanMN]

Regardless of maker or age of the ring, it’s beautiful and one I would be thrilled to find. And congrats on being able to get out and detect after your nasty sounding injury. A good find like yours is just icing on the cake.

 

[oldmxrat]

Way to go! Nice chunk of silver to get you back into the game, congrats!

 

[A2coins]

Awesome find looks like a great day

 

[Trezurehunter]

Looks like a nice ring. I'd be happy with that one.

 

[Florida Finder]

HH sorry to hear about your leg but happy to hear your feeling a bit better. That?s a super cool ring and I know there is more out there for you to find. Happy and healthy hunting!!!

 

[rastinirv]

Nice find! Hope your gimp is soon but a memory

 

[Diggindennis]

Awesome finds, its been a couple years since I've got up here and looked around, but looks like your been at it steady, beautiful ring