We initially made contact with Navajo silversmith Guy Hoskie in December 2005 when we bought some magnificent cluster pendants from him. We have continued to accumulate his work which is always made with fine natural stones. Guy particularly likes making large bracelets with sets of big stones.

First you get the story on this bracelet. Mostly because it's informative about how Indian jewelry is made, what the complications are and how a group of bracelets comes into being. This bracelet is just now being listed on our website in mid-October 2009, but we began the process of having it made in June 2009. It took a couple weeks to assemble a really great group of stones and decide on sizes, widths, etc. We gave the stones and silver to Guy in mid-July and expected pretty quick turn around time. Well, first he had to go to California for something. Then he had some things to do back on the ranch on the reservation (he doesn't live there all the time, but he keeps his place on the Rez). Then he had to help his aging parents with something due to their ill health. By this time it's gotten to be September, Labor Day is only a memory and we're waiting on the bracelets. Let it be said that at any time we could have recuperated the silver and stones and given the job to another silversmith. But I wanted Guy to put his hammer to this and work with these stones. I knew he could do something really special. We specify the width and size of each bracelet and which stone is set in it, but beyond that we give him no input other than the stone we choose to give him and the choice of the gauge (thickness) of silver to be used. We wanted him to work with 12-gauge silver so that he could get deep, biting stampwork that is particularly lush with texture. So we waited a long time for these bracelets and each one is really magnificent. It was worth the wait and I think we'd better give him some more stones and silver if we want to see some more by Christmas.

This five-stone row bracelet is set with gorgeous stones of natural, untreated Persian turquoise cut for us by Bruce Mead. These stones are thick and beautifully cut. This turquoise comes from northern Iran near the Armenian border and was imported as rough rock to the United States before the U.S. trade embargo on Iran. We sourced this stone through an Armenian gem dealer in Los Angeles and commissioned Bruce Mead to cut the stone for us (see photo above of this rough stone before cutting). This turquoise shows shades of blue-green that we've not seen elsewhere. The cuff is made from heavy 12-gauge Sterling and the stampwork is breathtakingly deep and perfect in its precision. We asked for a good, dark patina on this to give it that old-style look and this looks like an antique, though it is fresh from the hammer.

Guy's hallmark consists of his initials "G" and "H" with the word "Sterling" stamped between the letters of his initials.

Stones: center 1 3/16" x 5/8"; left 13/16" x 1/2"; right 7/8" x 1/2"; far left 11/16" x 5/8"; far right 11/16" x 9/16"

Weight of stones: 65 carats

Width at center stone: 1 5/16"

Width of cuff: 1"

Terminal to terminal: 6 1/8"

Gap: 1 3/8"

Total inside circumference (including gap): 7 1/2"