This is an original and early Esther Wood (Navajo, born 1946) massive Old Blue Gem Turquoise and sterling concho belt from circa 1970-1990’s collected from the Utility Shack trading post in Albuquerque, NM; Navajo Esther Wood Turquoise Cabochon Link Belt. The belt weighs a total of 1,384 grams and measures overall 48-inches long; the main buckle by itself is 4 5/8-inches by 3.5-inches. This is the largest concho belt Esther Wood ever created and quite possibly her true masterpiece. The piece is hand etched signed, “Esther Wood” and stamped “STERLING” on the buckle. The piece is set with massive, polished cabochons of Old Blue Gem Turquoise from the Historic Battle Mountain Blue Gem Turquoise Mine (the mine was located in the Copper Basin southwest of Battle Mountain, Nevado and was opened in 1934, later closing in the 1970’s). In addition to the signature the piece is marked, “3050 Carats Old Blue Gem” on the back. Esther Wood, born in 1946, is a master Navajo silversmith from New Mexico. Wood learned her craft from her aunt, Elsie Platero and has since been widely desired due to her distinctive style that blends traditional Navajo techniques with contemporary designs. Esther Woods work is on display at the Smithsonian Museum as well as other important institutions. This piece was collected from the Utility Shack trading post and comes with the original vintage slip bag marked, “UTILITY SHACK 11035 CENTRAL NE ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO”. The Utility Shack in Albuquerque, New Mexico was founded in the 1970’s and was a staple in the collecting community, later closing in 2014 when the owners retired. The Concho Belt or Turquoise Cabochon Link Belt consists of 12 / twelve conchos, each comprised of solid sterling silver with a classic design and holding massive nuggets of polished cabochon Old Blue Gem Mine Turquoise. The large conchos are held together with sterling silver link rings allowing the belt to be latched at each link with the excess conchos dangling down the wearer’s legs, a classic and artful form that allows this to be worn by most if not all buyers. This is the largest and most stunning concho belt on the public market and the largest known to have been created by Esther Wood, making this one of if not her best masterpiece. The Blue Gem Turquoise Mine was opened in 1934 and was owned by Doc Wilson from 1938 and later leased by Lee Hand until 1970 when he sold his interest to the Elquist family of Battle Mountain, Nevado. Lee Hand knew the Patania Family in Arizona and C.G. Wallace in Zuni and was a known supplier to the Navajo and Zuni. Now the Blue Gem Turquoise that is “finished” such as this is considered extremely rare, valuable and collectible with most being in private collections and museums, rarely offered for sale (Durango Silver).