Silver Cactus Jewelry | Native American, Vintage & Estate

At a Glance:

Design: Native American compact bolo tie with turquoise cabochon and claw, in a classic Western slide form
Stone: Turquoise visually consistent with Sleeping Beauty material 
Color: Saturated blue turquoise with minimal matrix
Accent: Genuine animal claw, visually consistent with bear based on morphology, framed by raised leaf appliqués
Metal: .925 sterling silver, unmarked
Attribution: Consistent with Navajo work
Era: Likely 1980s
Status: Unsigned and unstamped vintage Native American bolo tie with clip-style clasp
Condition: Very Fine — see SCJ Vintage Condition Guide

Specifications:

• Wear scale: traditional small-to-medium bolo slide size
• Stone: 3/4" x 11/16" (bezel to bezel)
• Slide: 2 1/4" x 1 1/2"
• Total length (including tips): 45" 
• Cord: like-new black braided leather with light marks from installation through the slide clip
• Tips condition: gently worn with light patina
• Clasp: unmarked clip-style
• Weight: 51.1 grams
  

Gallery Note:

This handcrafted Native American bolo tie is unsigned, a detail consistent with many mid- to-late 20th century Navajo pieces. In the absence of a hallmark, the piece speaks through its materials, silverwork, and composition, which align with Diné jewelry traditions. The pairing of turquoise and claw has deep roots in Native American jewelry, bringing together stone, silver, and natural elements in a compact Western format.

The turquoise provides a vivid blue focus, while hand-chased leaf appliqués frame the composition with quiet restraint. The genuine animal claw features a warm honey-amber tone — lighter than the dark brown or near-black examples most collectors encounter. While the lighter color may initially suggest cougar, the morphology — specifically the broad base and gradual arc — is more consistent with bear, as mountain lion claws tend to be slender and more sharply curved. We present this claw here as genuine and visually consistent with a bear, with the lighter amber tone noted for collectors who want to examine it further.

Finished with black braided leather and gently patinated silver tips, this bolo has the grounded presence collectors look for in traditional Navajo work — symbolic, rooted in heritage, and timeless.

Hallmark & Maker Notes:

✨ Collectors Circle Members receive a welcome offer on their first purchase. 

At a Glance:

Signed Navajo turquoise & coral bear-themed bolo tie by Elaine Sam
Sculptural bear-centered design with two genuine claws
Turquoise cabochon consistent with Sleeping Beauty material, accented by red coral
Substantial statement slide with strong symbolism and collector appeal

Bolo Tie Features:

• .925 sterling silver
• Turquoise cabochon consistent with Sleeping Beauty material
• Red coral accent with warm orange overtones
• Chased silverwork on slide and appliqués
• Signed by the artisan
• Two genuine bear claws
• Rigid double-ring cord clasp
• Condition: Very Fine — see SCJ Vintage Condition Guide

Bolo Tie Specifications:

• Wear scale: medium-large slide with strong visual presence
• Turquoise: 5/16" x 1/2" (bezel to bezel)
• Coral: 1/4" x 1/2"
• Slide: 3" x 2 5/8"
  
• Total length (including tips): 45"
• Cord condition: minor signs of wear
  
• Tips condition: gently worn with light patina
• Weight: 69.2 grams
  

ABOUT THIS PIECE:

This signed bolo tie by the late Navajo silversmith Elaine Sam centers on a fully dimensional bear, a recurring motif in her work. Richly textured and sculpturally rendered, the dominant figure projects forward with convincing movement, giving the form vitality rather than a flat ornamental presence. A chased silver leaf rises along each side, introducing lift and contour. Framed within a sweeping double-claw crescent, the composition carries an undercurrent of protection and cohesion, an arrangement that feels intentional and grounded.

The turquoise character aligns with Sleeping Beauty examples, one of Arizona’s most celebrated mines. The cabochon exhibits a clear sky-blue tone with minimal matrix, complemented by a red-orange coral that adds warmth and contrast to the ensemble. The dynamic combination of turquoise and coral reflects a longstanding material pairing deeply rooted in Native American silverwork and favored by Sam.

Finished with a classic black braided leather cord and silver tips, this piece exemplifies Elaine Sam’s confident approach to form, symbolism, and wearability. It stands as a strong representative example of her work and her enduring contribution to contemporary Navajo jewelry—an authentic, collectible piece valued for craftsmanship, material integrity, and cultural resonance.

ARTISAN NOTE:

Hallmarked "E S," this bolo tie is the work of Navajo silversmith Elaine Sam (circa 1955–2020). Her fuller stamp, "NAVAJO HANDMADE ES," is documented in published hallmark reference books and recognized in trading post records.

Elaine Sam is noted for set-stone jewelry featuring dimensional silverwork and applied elements, particularly bear claw necklaces, bracelets, watches, and pendants. Her designs are recognized for bold symbolism, strong construction, and balanced use of turquoise and coral.

Signed works by Sam are collected for their craftsmanship, material quality, and clear artistic identity within contemporary Navajo jewelry.

PERFECT FOR:

• Collectors of documented Navajo silversmiths
• Enthusiasts of bear and claw symbolism
• Western formalwear and elevated ranch styling
• Those who appreciate statement bolo ties
• Admirers of sandcast silver and sculptural Native design

✨ Collectors Circle members receive a welcome offer on their first purchase. 

At a Glance:

Design: Native American bear claw sterling pendant with turquoise, coral, and intricate silverwork
Stone: Turquoise cabochon consistent with Kingman material
Color: Saturated sky-blue turquoise with minimal matrix
Secondary Stone(s): Two small red-orange coral accents
Accent: Layered wirework, chased leaves, and flower appliqués
Metal: .925 sterling silver
Artist: Signed J.M. | Navajo silversmith under active research
Era: Late 20th century
Status: Vintage Native American jewelry piece with partially faded hallmark
Condition: Very Fine — see SCJ Vintage Condition Guide

Specifications:

• Wear scale: mid-size pendant (chain not included)
• Turquoise: 5/16" x 5/16" (bezel to bezel)
• Width:  1 1/4"
• Total length (including the bail): 2 1/4"
  
• Bail: compact, best suited for fine to medium weight chain
• Weight: 13.1 grams

Gallery Note:

This Native American bear claw pendant brings together symbolic strength, saturated color, and detailed silverwork in a compact yet commanding form. A vivid sky-blue turquoise cabochon anchors the upper center, framed by curling wirework and layered sterling silver appliqué, while two red-orange coral accents introduce warmth beneath the stone.

The turquoise-and-coral contrast gives the pendant a classic Southwestern presence, while the genuine bear claw adds visual weight and traditional collector interest. Its mid-size scale keeps the piece wearable, but the layered silverwork, strong materials, and symbolic form give it a bold presence beyond its size.

Compact yet expressive, this pendant reflects the appeal of vintage Native American jewelry with strong visual character, meaningful materials, and construction details consistent with Navajo work.

Hallmark & Maker Notes:

The reverse bears a partially faded hallmark that appears to read “J.M.” beside a clear STERLING stamp. The maker remains under active research, as the mark has not yet been conclusively matched to a single documented silversmith.

The Navajo attribution is based on the pendant’s genuine bear claw element, sterling silverwork, turquoise-and-coral arrangement, curling wire accents, layered appliqué, and overall late 20th-century Navajo jewelry vocabulary — elements consistent with Navajo work, though maker identification remains unconfirmed due to the softened hallmark.

✨ Collectors Circle members receive a welcome offer on their first purchase.