The Allure of Authentic Concho Belts

It can be hard to resist the dramatic beauty of authentic handmade concho belts, but before you buy one or more, you might want to get to know them better so you can make a more informed buying decision. For starters, concho is derived from ‘concha’, a Spanish word for ‘conch’, a seashell. However, it became a word associated with oval or round discs, and in some cases, rectangles. Often made of silver, conchos are used to decorate clothing, saddles, and bridles. They eventually became worn as jewelry, such as pendants, bolo ties, and adorning leather belts.

Concho belts have been part of the Navajo tradition, although there is a bit of history stating that the tribe borrowed them from Plains Indians and Mexican tack items. Regardless of the origin of conchos in the Navajo culture, they make excellent accessories when worn as belt, and there is no denying the creativity and passion that goes into the creation of every piece. When you buy authentic concho belts from the right retailer, they will come with a certificate of authenticity to assure you of the artist’s name and tribal affiliation, the materials used, and the retail value of the item.

The earliest versions of concho belts were made out of silver dollars, which were hammered into shape, stamped, and edged, and slotted and strung on leather. Later versions incorporated copper loops on the back of the conchos to make them easier to slip onto the leather belt. Concho belts typically consist of several conchos. In some designs, spacers are placed between every piece and they can be of various shapes. Some artists apply custom cutout leather to the back of each concho to draw attention to the silverwork and to protect the silver’s edges against bumping, bending, and wear. There are also beautiful and elegant link concho belts that contain no leather. In a link belt, silver loops connect the conchos and the result is a flexible and highly adjustable belt that can be worn in many different ways.

Conchos can be made in many different designs, but you can often find them inspired by traditional and cultural themes. Some high-end collectible conchos feature stones, like turquoise, as their centerpiece, and the artist works around the design to highlight the stone. Sunshine Reeves is one of the Navajo artists who is known for his belts and his buckles. One of his masterpieces is the Aztec spiderweb turquoise belt buckle, which features a rare stone with a sky-blue hue and hints of green, gold, and a chocolate spiderweb matrix. The handmade bezel is made of silver and finely stamped using the artist’s own tools.

About the Company:

Turquoise Direct is one of the most prominent sellers of authentic handmade turquoise jewelry, designed by award winning Native American artists, including Julian Lovato, Harry H. Begay, Arland Ben, Aaron Anderson, Al Joe, Thomas Jim, Tommy Jackson, Calvin Martinez and many others who place only the finest natural American turquoise in beautiful contemporary and traditional silver and gold jewelry. With an amazing selection of collectible Native American jewelry from bracelets to earrings, necklaces, and rings to buckles and bolos by some of the most collectible and highly esteemed Native American artists in the Southwest, Turquoise Direct is the place to go for the finest online experience on the web.

Turquoise Direct is one of the most prominent sellers of authentic handmade turquoise jewelry, designed by award winning Native American artists, including Julian Lovato, Harry H.