🖤 VINTAGE 1960s–1970s NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & BLACK ONYX STATEMENT EARRINGS 🖤
An extraordinary pair of vintage circa 1960s–1970s handmade Navajo sterling silver statement earrings, featuring exceptionally long, glossy black cabochons believed to be black onyx, framed by striking geometric silverwork.
Measuring approximately 2½ inches long and weighing 18.18 grams as a pair, these earrings have remarkable presence. Their bold, architectural design combines beautifully with the subtle irregularities and naturally aged character of traditional handmade Southwestern jewelry.
Each earring features an approximately 40 mm-long polished black cabochon suspended beneath a domed sterling silver post top.
From the collection of the late Nancy Elby, a longtime participant in the Southwestern and American Indian art and antiques community.
The earrings are unsigned, and no specific artist attribution is claimed.
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🖤 NANCY ELBY COLLECTION PROVENANCE
These earrings have a fascinating Southwestern collecting history.
I acquired them from an individual in Phoenix, Arizona, who obtained them from the late Nancy Elby.
Based in Phoenix, Nancy Elby was a longtime participant in the American Indian art, Southwestern antiques, and Western collecting community. She exhibited under the name “The Good Stuff” at the High Noon Western Americana show and was also an exhibitor at Santa Fe’s prestigious Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show.
Their reported chain of ownership is:
Nancy Elby → Phoenix individual → current owner
This provenance concerns the earrings’ previous ownership and collection history. It does not establish a particular maker, artist, or exact date of manufacture.
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🖤 BELIEVED BLACK ONYX
Each earring features an exceptionally long, polished rectangular black cabochon measuring approximately:
• 40.00 × 11.75 mm
• 1.575 × 0.463 inches
The stones display a deep, glossy black appearance with smooth polished surfaces and beautiful reflective highlights.
Based on their appearance and characteristics, I believe the stones are black onyx rather than jet.
Both stones remain securely set within their individually fabricated silver bezels.
The stones have not been professionally gemologically tested; their identification as black onyx is an informed opinion and cannot be guaranteed.
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🪶 TRADITIONAL HANDMADE CONSTRUCTION
The earrings feature substantial silver frames with distinctive stepped and notched geometric decoration surrounding the elongated black stones.
Each lower section hangs from a separately fabricated domed circular post top, joined by a silver connecting ring.
The largely undecorated reverse sides reveal the handmade bezels, backplates, solder work, connecting rings, and original post attachments.
Although beautifully matched, the earrings are not mechanically identical. Slight variations in their dimensions, silver components, soldering, and finishing are consistent with individual hand fabrication rather than mass production.
The earrings are unsigned, and no specific maker attribution is claimed.
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🧪 STERLING SILVER — JSP TESTED
Although unmarked, the earrings produced a strong reaction consistent with sterling silver during my personal JSP scratch-stone acid test.
A small amount of metal was transferred from an inconspicuous area of the earrings onto a JSP testing stone. Silver-testing acid was applied exclusively to the transferred metal streak.
No acid touched the earrings.
The transferred metal produced an immediate blood-red reaction, which remained blood red throughout the full five-minute observation period before the test was discarded.
Based on this reaction, I am identifying the earrings as sterling silver.
The earrings have not undergone professional XRF or laboratory testing. Their sterling silver identification is based on the JSP scratch-stone testing described above.
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📏 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
All measurements are approximate. Minor differences between the earrings are consistent with their handmade construction.
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🖤 ORIGINAL POSTS / NEW HYPOALLERGENIC BACKS
Both original pierced posts remain intact.
When acquired, the earrings had old plastic backs that had become brittle and deteriorated with age. These were removed and replaced with brand-new hypoallergenic butterfly backs for comfortable wear.
The replacement backs are the only new components. No alterations were made to the original earrings or posts.
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🔎 CONDITION
Very good vintage pre-owned condition, displaying beautiful, authentic evidence of age, hand fabrication, and decades of wear.
Both glossy black cabochons remain securely set. The handmade silver settings, bezels, geometric surrounds, backplates, connecting rings, domed post tops, and original pierced posts remain structurally sound and intact.
The silver exhibits naturally developed patina and oxidation, fine scratches, surface marks, darkened recesses, subtle irregularities, solder evidence, and visible tool/construction marks appropriate to its age and handmade character.
The earrings have intentionally not been polished, preserving their original aged appearance and naturally developed patina.
Only the deteriorated plastic backs have been replaced, as described above.
Detailed photographs, including extreme close-ups, have been provided to document the stones, silverwork, construction, patina, and condition as transparently as possible.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
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📸 PHOTOGRAPHY
All photographs were taken outdoors between approximately 5–6 PM under overcast skies, using natural, diffused daylight.
This lighting captures the reflective black stones and the details of the handmade silverwork without harsh direct sunlight.
Extreme macro photographs magnify scratches, tool marks, solder evidence, and other minute details beyond their normal appearance to the unaided eye.
The polished black stones are highly reflective, so their appearance may vary with lighting, surroundings, and viewing angle. Screen settings may also affect perceived color, brightness, and contrast.
The colors of the earrings and stones have not been digitally altered.
Additional photographs or video are gladly available upon request.
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📦 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 mailer
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🌎 INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
• FREE through eBay International Shipping
OR
• USPS Priority Mail International
• Flat rate: $48.95
• Insurance and tracking included
Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, VAT, brokerage fees, tariffs, taxes or other import charges imposed by their country.
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🤝 OFFERS & RETURNS
All serious offers considered.
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly misrepresented.
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🖤 A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF VINTAGE SOUTHWESTERN JEWELRY
With their dramatic 2½-inch length, substantial 18.18-gram combined weight, glossy black cabochons, and bold geometric silverwork, these earrings make a striking statement.
Their handmade character, beautifully preserved patina, original posts, and Nancy Elby collection history make them especially appealing to admirers of vintage Southwestern jewelry.
A wonderful opportunity to acquire a distinctive pair of vintage statement earrings with a fascinating collecting history. 🖤🪶