Sterling Silver Turquoise Navajo Ring

The turquoise in this ring is a pleasure to watch. The frame for it is just right for it also. It’s a ring from Running Bear. They’re a shop that makes accessible items as well as some pretty awesome midrange items. But they’re really known for their high-quality accessible work. Why should accessible work exist? Well, without accessible work I have no idea what I’d wear on the subway. I am not wearing my most prized pieces to a school meeting. I’m not wearing my best pieces to the DMV to renew my license. There’s a farmer’s market on Eastern Parkway at the entrance to Prospect Park. I think it would be silly for me to wear my Delbert Delgarito ensemble to buy tomatoes.

On the other hand, accessible pieces should be of high quality. It’s one of the hardest things you can imagine. One of these days I’ll tell you the story about a wholesale deal for vintage Moroccan pieces that fell apart (ouf!). There’s a lot happening behind the scenes. But most of all, I want to make sure that everything I offer is something I’d wear. So this isn’t purely about selling things, it’s really about my love for every single piece you see. From the most accessible ring to the most ostentatious piece. Every single one of them has to pass my, “will I wear this?” test. And accessible pieces are no exception.

What does this mean? Well, it means I actually love this. There are many pieces I’ve acquired wholesale and I don’t like as much. You’ll never see them. That was my mistake. But this one? Be glad I have some modicum of self-control. This is a really nice piece of turquoise for a ring at this level. I almost want to say that someone made a mistake. But that’s not the case at all. Running Bear does this. I don’t carry all of their pieces. You can check them out at Chaco Canyon, which is their retail shop.

“Oh no! Why would you send me to their retail shop?”

I didn’t send you. I’m saying that if it isn’t about the very piece you’re looking at, you shouldn’t get it. I don’t expect this piece to be everyone’s dream piece. It’s of no consequence if you find a piece you like more there. Someone will be moved by this piece, purchase it, take it home, appreciate it, and love it for years to come. That’s my goal. Connecting pieces to their future owners. Running Bear employs great Native artists. They have accessible pieces, mid-range pieces, and even high-end pieces (though they specialize inaccessible and mid-range). Love this particular ring? Get it! Love the idea of this ring but which turquoise was a different piece or the bezel could be different? Check out Chaco Canyon.

Your takeaway should be: It’s always about the piece in front of you. If it moves you, move in on it. If it doesn’t move you, move on. I love it. It’s really cute. That turquoise is nuts. Water web with two pieces of chert playing a balancing game? Gorgeous.