🖤 VINTAGE 1960s–1970s HANDMADE NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & BLACK ONYX EARRINGS 🖤
A striking 2½-inch-long pair of vintage circa 1960s–1970s handmade Navajo sterling silver earrings with Nancy Elby collection provenance, featuring exceptionally long polished black cabochons believed to be black onyx surrounded by bold geometric silverwork.
I acquired these earrings from an individual in Phoenix, Arizona, who obtained them from the late Nancy Elby. Elby was a longtime participant in the Southwestern and American Indian art and antiques community, exhibiting under “The Good Stuff” at the High Noon Western Americana show and later appearing among the exhibitors at Santa Fe’s Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show.
Measuring approximately 2.52–2.53 inches in total drop and weighing a substantial 18.18 grams as a pair, these are true statement earrings. Each features an approximately 40 mm-long polished rectangular black cabochon suspended beneath a domed circular sterling silver post top.
The subtle differences between the two earrings—including their overall dimensions and individually formed silver components—provide wonderful evidence of traditional hand fabrication.
The maker is unknown, and no specific artist attribution is being NANCY ELBY COLLECTION PROVENANCE
These earrings carry wonderful Southwestern collecting provenance.
I acquired them from an individual in Phoenix, Arizona, who obtained them from the late Nancy Elby.
Nancy Elby was a longtime figure in the American Indian art, Southwestern antiques and Western collecting community. Based in Phoenix, she exhibited under the name “The Good Stuff” at the High Noon Western Americana show and was also an exhibitor at the prestigious Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show in Santa Fe, an event bringing together established dealers and galleries specializing in historic Native American and ethnographic material.
Preserving this chain of ownership was important to me, and the earrings are being offered with their Nancy Elby collection history intact:
Nancy Elby → Phoenix individual → current owner
This provenance refers specifically to the earrings’ prior ownership and collection history. It is not being used to claim a particular maker, artist or date of BELIEVED BLACK ONYX
Each earring features a remarkably long, highly polished rectangular black cabochon measuring approximately:
• 40.00 × 11.75 mm
• 1.575 × 0.463 inches
The stones display an exceptionally deep, glossy black appearance with crisp reflected highlights and smooth polished surfaces.
Based upon their appearance and characteristics, I believe the stones are black onyx rather than jet.
Both stones remain securely set within their individually fabricated bezels.
The stones have not been professionally gemologically tested. Black onyx is my identification based upon their appearance and characteristics and cannot be TRADITIONAL HANDMADE CONSTRUCTION
The earrings display wonderful evidence of individual hand fabrication.
Each long rectangular stone is surrounded by a substantial silver frame with bold geometric stepped/notched edge decoration. Above each dangle is a separately fabricated domed circular silver post top, connected to the lower body by a silver ring.
The reverse sides provide an especially revealing look at their construction. The backs remain largely undecorated, allowing the individually fabricated bezels, backplates, solder work, connecting rings and original post attachments to be examined.
The two earrings are extremely well matched but are not mechanically identical.
Earring #1 measures approximately 64.30 mm long (TOTAL DROP) × 19.65 mm wide, while Earring #2 measures approximately 64.05 mm long (TOTAL DROP) × 20.15 mm wide.
The upper domed silver post tops measure approximately 11.70 mm and 11.90 mm in diameter.
These subtle variations, along with differences visible in the individually worked components, soldering and finishing, are consistent with traditional hand fabrication rather than modern mass production.
The earrings are unsigned, and no specific maker attribution is being STERLING SILVER — JSP TESTED
The earrings are unmarked; however, I personally performed a non-invasive JSP scratch-stone silver acid test, which produced a strong reaction consistent with sterling silver.
A small amount of metal was transferred from an inconspicuous area of the earrings onto a JSP testing stone. Silver-testing acid was then applied exclusively to the transferred metal streak on the testing stone.
No acid touched the earrings at any time.
Upon contact with the testing solution, the transferred metal produced an immediate blood-red reaction. The reaction remained blood red throughout the entire five-minute period I observed it before the test was discarded.
Based upon this immediate and persistent JSP scratch-stone test reaction, I am identifying the earrings as sterling silver.
The earrings are unmarked and have not been professionally XRF or laboratory tested; the sterling identification is based upon the JSP scratch-stone testing described MEASUREMENTS & WEIGHT
Earring #1:
• Total drop: approx. 64.30 mm / 2.531 inches
• Maximum width: approx. 19.65 mm / 0.774 inches
• Domed silver post top: approx. 11.70 mm / 0.461 inches diameter
Earring #2:
• Total drop: approx. 64.05 mm / 2.522 inches
• Maximum width: approx. 20.15 mm / 0.793 inches
• Domed silver post top: approx. 11.90 mm / 0.469 inches diameter
Black cabochons:
• Approx. 40.00 × 11.75 mm each
• Approx. 1.575 × 0.463 inches each
Combined weight:
• 18.18 grams
• 0.641 ounces
Because these are individually handmade vintage earrings, slight dimensional differences between the pair are expected and are part of their character.
All measurements are ORIGINAL POSTS / NEW HYPOALLERGENIC BACKS
The pierced posts attached to the earrings are original.
When acquired, the earrings retained old plastic backs that had become brittle and deteriorated with age. Those deteriorated plastic backs were removed and replaced with brand-new hypoallergenic backs for clean, comfortable wear.
No alteration was made to the original earrings or their original posts.
The replacement backs are the only new CONDITION
Very good vintage pre-owned condition with beautiful, honest evidence of age, hand fabrication and long-term wear.
Both large black cabochons remain securely set within their bezels and retain a beautiful glossy polished appearance.
The handmade sterling silver settings remain structurally sound. The bezels, geometric surrounds, backplates, connecting rings, domed post tops and original pierced posts remain intact.
The sterling silver displays naturally developed patina and oxidation, fine scratches, surface marks, darker recessed areas, subtle irregularities, solder evidence and visible tool/construction marks consistent with both traditional hand fabrication and decades of wear.
The earrings have intentionally not been polished, preserving the naturally developed surface and patina visible in the photographs.
As noted above, the original posts remain intact; only the deteriorated old plastic backs were replaced with new hypoallergenic backs.
Nothing has been intentionally concealed in the photography. Extreme close-ups have deliberately been included so prospective buyers can evaluate the stones, silverwork, construction, patina and condition in considerable detail.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the PHOTOGRAPHY
All photographs were taken outdoors between approximately 5–6 PM in natural daylight under overcast skies.
The soft, diffused outdoor light was intentionally used to document the deep black appearance and reflective polish of the stones, as well as the details, patina and condition of the handmade sterling silverwork.
Extreme macro photographs magnify surface scratches, tool marks, solder evidence, handmade irregularities and other tiny details considerably beyond their appearance to the unaided eye.
Black polished stones are particularly reflective, and their apparent depth, darkness, brightness and surface reflections can change according to the surrounding environment and angle of light.
Color, depth, saturation, brightness and contrast may also vary somewhat according to screen settings and individual devices.
The colors of the earrings and stones have not been digitally altered in any way.
Additional photographs or video are gladly available upon SHIPPING
• Ships same or next business day
• FREE USPS Ground Advantage within the United States
• Fully insured with tracking
• Carefully and securely packaged
• Ships in a sturdy cardboard box — never a bubble INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
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• Flat rate: $48.95
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Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, VAT, brokerage fees, tariffs, taxes or other import charges imposed by their OFFERS & RETURNS
All serious offers considered.
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly striking 2½-inch-long pair of vintage handmade Navajo sterling silver earrings with Nancy Elby collection provenance, combining bold geometric silverwork with exceptionally long, glossy black cabochons believed to be black onyx.
At 18.18 grams as a pair, these are substantial statement earrings with tremendous visual presence. Their subtle handmade differences, original posts, naturally developed patina and surviving construction evidence give them the wonderful character that makes older Southwestern jewelry so compelling.
Their documented collection history—from Nancy Elby, to a Phoenix collector, and ultimately to the current owner—adds another fascinating chapter to a beautiful surviving pair of vintage Southwestern earrings. 🖤🪶
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