Some of the cleverest ideas in Native jewelry are the ones you never notice at first.
To most people, this appears to be a striking oversized Morenci turquoise pendant—a monumental stone wrapped in hand-twisted wire, framed by deeply stamped silver, and glowing with the unmistakable electric blue that made the Morenci Mine legendary.
But turn it over…
…and it becomes something else.
A vintage Switchback.
Wear it as a pendant one day. Fasten it to a denim jacket, a felt hat, or the lapel of a coat the next. It moves effortlessly between ornament and adornment, carrying the same history into entirely different stories.
That’s why I love these old convertible pieces.
They weren’t made to sit in a jewelry box.
They were made to travel.
The Morenci stone itself deserves center stage. Rich sky blue with delicate pyrite and matrix threading through its surface, it possesses the unmistakable character that made Arizona’s Morenci Mine one of the most celebrated turquoise sources in American history. Stones of this size and quality have become increasingly difficult to find, especially in untouched vintage settings.
This isn’t simply a pendant.
It’s a companion.
One that changes with you.
Artifact Registry
Artifact Name: Blue Fire, Hidden Ways
Maker: Unknown
Tribe/Origin: Navajo
Era: Vintage, circa 1960s–1970s
Materials: Sterling Silver, Natural Morenci Turquoise
Construction: Hand-fabricated sterling silver convertible Switchback featuring a substantial natural Morenci turquoise cabochon, hand-twisted wire border, stamped silver frame, integrated pendant bail, and vintage pin mechanism for dual wear as either a pendant or brooch.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with rich natural patina. Original convertible mechanism functions beautifully.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $1800
Estimated gallery offering price for an exceptional vintage Navajo Morenci turquoise convertible pendant presented through a premier Native American art gallery.
Field Observation
Large Morenci turquoise cabochons have become increasingly desirable due to the historic Arizona mine’s closure and the stone’s iconic saturated blue color, often accented by traces of pyrite. This example pairs a beautifully proportioned Morenci stone with a substantial handcrafted sterling setting while incorporating an original convertible pin-and-pendant mechanism. Convertible Southwestern jewelry is considerably less common than standard pendants or brooches, adding another layer of collector appeal. The combination of premium turquoise, versatile construction, and strong mid-century Navajo craftsmanship places this piece firmly in the upper tier of vintage wearable art.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
We started calling these Switchbacks because they always remind me of mountain trails.
You’re headed one direction…
…then suddenly the path changes.
Pendant.
Pin.
Back again.
I love jewelry that refuses to be only one thing. It reminds me that the best relics don’t stay still—they evolve with the people who wear them.
Some of the cleverest ideas in Native jewelry are the ones you never notice at first.
To most people, this appears to be a striking oversized Morenci turquoise pendant—a monumental stone wrapped in hand-twisted wire, framed by deeply stamped silver, and glowing with the unmistakable electric blue that made the Morenci Mine legendary.
But turn it over…
…and it becomes something else.
A vintage Switchback.
Wear it as a pendant one day. Fasten it to a denim jacket, a felt hat, or the lapel of a coat the next. It moves effortlessly between ornament and adornment, carrying the same history into entirely different stories.
That’s why I love these old convertible pieces.
They weren’t made to sit in a jewelry box.
They were made to travel.
The Morenci stone itself deserves center stage. Rich sky blue with delicate pyrite and matrix threading through its surface, it possesses the unmistakable character that made Arizona’s Morenci Mine one of the most celebrated turquoise sources in American history. Stones of this size and quality have become increasingly difficult to find, especially in untouched vintage settings.
This isn’t simply a pendant.
It’s a companion.
One that changes with you.
Artifact Registry
Artifact Name: Blue Fire, Hidden Ways
Maker: Unknown
Tribe/Origin: Navajo
Era: Vintage, circa 1960s–1970s
Materials: Sterling Silver, Natural Morenci Turquoise
Construction: Hand-fabricated sterling silver convertible Switchback featuring a substantial natural Morenci turquoise cabochon, hand-twisted wire border, stamped silver frame, integrated pendant bail, and vintage pin mechanism for dual wear as either a pendant or brooch.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with rich natural patina. Original convertible mechanism functions beautifully.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $1800
Estimated gallery offering price for an exceptional vintage Navajo Morenci turquoise convertible pendant presented through a premier Native American art gallery.
Field Observation
Large Morenci turquoise cabochons have become increasingly desirable due to the historic Arizona mine’s closure and the stone’s iconic saturated blue color, often accented by traces of pyrite. This example pairs a beautifully proportioned Morenci stone with a substantial handcrafted sterling setting while incorporating an original convertible pin-and-pendant mechanism. Convertible Southwestern jewelry is considerably less common than standard pendants or brooches, adding another layer of collector appeal. The combination of premium turquoise, versatile construction, and strong mid-century Navajo craftsmanship places this piece firmly in the upper tier of vintage wearable art.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
We started calling these Switchbacks because they always remind me of mountain trails.
You’re headed one direction…
…then suddenly the path changes.
Pendant.
Pin.
Back again.
I love jewelry that refuses to be only one thing. It reminds me that the best relics don’t stay still—they evolve with the people who wear them.
