Raymond Bobelu (Zuni) Channel Inlay Ring — Coral, Turquoise, Onyx & M of Pearl

Some pieces feel like they were carved out of the desert itself — stone by stone, line by line, with the kind of precision that only comes from years behind the bench. This is one of those pieces.

Handmade by Zuni silversmith Raymond Bobelu, this sterling silver ring showcases the classic channel inlay style that Zuni artists have mastered for generations. Every segment of stone — turquoise, red coral, onyx, and luminous mother of pearl — has been cut and fit by hand into a geometric pattern that feels both ancient and modern at the same time. Clean lines, sharp contrasts, and a design that looks like it was pulled straight out of a desert sunrise.

The ring carries Bobelu’s R.B. Zuni hallmark and weighs in at a solid 0.5 ounces, with a broad rectangular face and thick shoulders that give it real presence. At size 13, this is a rare large-format Zuni ring — built for someone who prefers their silver bold and their stones handcrafted, not pressed or printed.

This is the kind of ring collectors chase:
authentic, heavy, beautifully executed, and unmistakably Zuni.

Details

• Artist: Raymond Bobelu (Zuni)

• Metal: Solid Sterling Silver (marked “R.B. Sterling Zuni”)

• Materials: Turquoise, Red Coral, Onyx/Jet, Mother of Pearl

• Weight: 0.5 oz (approx. 14+ grams)

• Ring Size: US 13

• Style: Traditional Zuni channel inlay

• Era: Likely 1980s–2000s

• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural patina

Jack Gringo Says

Some rings are decoration.
This one is architecture — built stone by stone, a tiny monument to the artists of the Zuni Pueblo. Wear it like the desert wears the dawn.