Anybody here know anything about Native American Indian jewelry ?

[Mikey]

I know this is a longshot, but I thought i'd give it a try ....
My sister bought me this ring on a trip to Arizona back in - I think - the late 70's - early 80's ...

I tried selling it on ebay, but they have really strict laws for selling Indian stuff... You need the artists name, his mother's maiden name, his tribe, his sexual orientation, his bathing habits and his shoe-size.

The ring is marked PLATERO and has a few letters after it ... perhaps FNC (can't read the letters clearly)

I tried to do many internet searches to try and get some documentation, but turned up with zilch.

Thought I take a chance here --- I know it's a one in a million shot, but maybe one of you knows about Indian jewelry



m

[Gorn Captain]

I know I like and wear Native American jewelry.
But that's about all I can offer in expertise...

Btw: platero means donkey....

[Mikey]

I know I like and wear Native American jewelry.
But that's about all I can offer in expertise...

Btw: platero means donkey....

Really ?

I was told it means silversmith

[Gorn Captain]

Well, plenty of donkey pics when you type platero...
platero - Google Afbeeldingen

[Meule]

Wikipedia

Platero is a little donkey, main character of Platero y yo (Spanish for Platero and I), one of Juan Ramón Jiménez's most popular works.

Platero ("silvery") is described in the lyric prose of the book as a "small donkey, a soft, hairy donkey: so soft to the touch that he might be said to be made of cotton, with no bones. Only the jet mirrors of his eyes are hard like two black crystal scarabs." [1]

The little donkey remains a symbol of tenderness, purity and naivety, and is used by the author as a means of reflection about the simple joys of life, memories, and description of characters and their ways of life.

[Meule]

After Googling a bbit more Platero also seems to be an Indian name, found some more Indian necklaces signed Platero and there's also a link to the Bureau of Indian Education.
Maybe Pat knows more...

[saildog]

Lena Platero, Navajo, 1954, is a self taught silversmith who makes remarkable feather jewelry. "Platero" means silversmith. C203-498

Southwest Silver Gallery specializes in Turquoise jewelry, turquoise, Native American jewelry, Navajo jewelry, American Indian jewelry, Zuni jewelry, Navajo Indian jewelry, authentic turquoise jewelry, Hopi jewelry, Indian turquoise jewelry

[kryptosmaster]

I'll run over to the retirement community and see how many 90 year old ladies are interested in it. They are the only ones who wear that stuff anymore.

My grandmother used to sell that stuff in the 70's. It was really popular then. I think I still have one of those GIGANTIC silver belt buckles with a HUGE piece of turquoise in it. And I think the 70's was the last time I wore it.
Rich

[Man of Action]

hey, I think thats Mike Platero's work..Navajo silver for sure..prabably woth $100.00..did your sister purchase near Flagstaff Az???

[Mikey]

hey, I think thats Mike Platero's work..Navajo silver for sure..prabably woth $100.00..did your sister purchase near Flagstaff Az???

I'm not 100% sure where she bought it in Arizona ..
She said -- I got this for you in Arizona .....

The only thing that might help, her trip with her husband was to Casa Grande -- that's where my brother-in-law's brother lives.

But, she did say they went to Grand Canyon --- which Flagstaff is along the way (I think).

[kryptosmaster]

I'm not 100% sure where she bought it in Arizona ..
She said -- I got this for you in Arizona .....

The only thing that might help, her trip with her husband was to Casa Grande -- that's where my brother-in-law's brother lives.

But, she did say they went to Grand Canyon --- which Flagstaff is along the way (I think).

EVERYBODY was selling that stuff all over the southwest, especially AZ back in the 70's/80's. She could have gotten it literally anywhere. Flea market, jewelry store, craft fair, tourist trap, roadside stand, reservation gift shop...
Rich