The mid 1850’s marked the introduction of silversmithing to the Navajo people and thus the sterling silver belt buckle was born. While many native tribes have developed their own specific artistry and craftsmanship, the western belt buckle has become a staple to the native tribes of the southwest. The turquoise buckle is traditionally attributed to the craftsmanship of the Navajo. The Hopi styles includes an overlay technique where a design is cut out of a flat piece of silver that is joined together and oxidized to enhance the pattern. The Zuni people use an channel technique consisting of multi-colored stones and shells, patterned within their inlay buckle.
