ZUNI HANDCRAFTED LADIES WATCHBAND BY ARTIST ALICE QUAM
Circa 1970's, this vintage ladies watch tip is set in yellow 14kt gold. It has 6 all natural Lone Mountain turquoise stones. This is a rare find. The artist is from a renown Zuni family named Quam. She has signed the piece "A Q" for Alice Quam. The watch tip measures 5/8" and tapers to 3/8" with a total length of 1"1/4. Well crafted, this type of jewelry doesn’t exist any more. A true collectors piece.
The Lone Mountain turquoise: mine near Tonopah, Nevada has been one of the larger producers of fine turquoise in Nevada. It was discovered by Lee Hand in 1920.The turquoise is graded into golden matrix, black matrix and spider web. In the past most of it was cut and polished or the nuggets drilled and polished at the mine and very little rough was sold. No material is currently being mined. It is considered a very collectible turquoise, probably second only to the Lander Blue.
Artist: Alice Quam, Zuni, learned her craft from her parents, Wayne, and Doris Ondelacy, who are well known for their cluster jewelry from the 1930? s to 1950? s. Alice is known for her fabulous cluster work and has won many awards. She has been featured in magazines, galleries, and museums. Her work is sought after by collectors worldwide. She is the mother of Lorraine Waatsa, Alvina Quam, Shirley Quam, Wayne Quam and Elgin Quam.
