Regular visitors to our site know that Calvin Martinez is one of our preferred silversmiths. This is why we actively seek his work. It's not simply his exquisite workmanship which dazzles us, it's also his ability to design pieces in a wholly traditional style while inventing those very designs. The style of work that Calvin does is commonly referred to as Traditional Revival. But in Calvin's case, this does not merely equate to reviving older designs; he's got the Traditional Muse on his shoulder and invents new designs which look 75 or 100 years old.

It's always a challenge to find concha belts that are well-made, reasonably priced and have something special about them. When it comes to Calvin's belts, they are always special. In terms of concha belts, only Harry Begay matches Calvin for sublimely clean execution. Here's what most recommends this belt: It's wholly traditional in its styling, but it's not over the top. The buckle is rich with stones, but the conchas are about clean workmanship and stamped silver. So you get a very nice set of stones on the buckle, but you have a solid appreciation for the fine smithing because the conchas are simple and perfect.

He's used an old style here which employs a cut-out center of the concha with a transverse strip of silver (hidden by the leather) which holds the concha in place once the leather is threaded through the center of the concha. This is classic and it makes for a nice marriage of the leather and the silver as materials. Each of the conchas is backed by an oval of leather and this makes it easier to move the conchas to adjust the size, but it also adds an element of depth to the belt because the thickness of the leather oval backing the concha raises the concha above the belt strip by about one-eighth inch. Depth and texture are key to Calvin's gift of creation and you see him employ this in various ways; from the backed leather conchas to the doming of the conchas, the stampwork and the repoussée forms on the buckle.

In terms of sizing, without removing any conchas this belt will fit a smallest size of 34". Consider that this is to be worn in the traditional manner over the clothing (not in belt loops) and that clothing will make for a larger waist size. And you may wear this so that it drops to the hips.

Hallmarked "C.MTZ" inside an arrowhead and stamped "Sterling" inside.

8 Stones: (6) 5/8" x 3/8"; (2) 1/2" x 3/8"

Buckle: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Conchas: (10) 2 7/8" x 2 5/8"

Leather belt: 1" wide

Fits waist size 34" to 40"