Captivating Conchos

This beautiful belt is stamped from sterling silver, studded with sky-blue turquoise stones.  It is by renown Navajo silversmith Marcella James.

The oval pieces are referred to as conchos.  The word derives from the Spanish "concha," which refers to a conch or seashell.  Conchos were used by the Spanish to adorn saddles and bridles, as well on clothing and as jewelry.   Concho belts have become a tradition among the Navajo Indians, who began making conchos around the 1860s, at first hammering them out of silver coins.  Originally, the conchos were strung on leather woven through center slots in each piece, but later Navajo silversmiths began to solder loops on the back for a belt to slide through, allowing the center of the concho to decorated.  There are two basic types of concho belts, with either the conchos strung on leather or connected by links.  A link concho belt can be fastened with a hook almost anywhere on the belt, so that it can be adjusted to fit many waist sizes.  This breathtaking belt could accessorize any outfit, from casual denim to elegant evening wear.

Often the conchos alternate with decorative spacers.  The most traditional form is called a butterfly, and looking at the spacers on this belt, it is easy to see why.

The belt is signed by Marcella James and is marked "Sterling."