BGM Sterling Turquoise Ring — Zuni Channel Work, Size 9

This refined sterling silver ring showcases the quiet precision of Southwestern channel inlay work, featuring hand-cut turquoise stones set flush into a smooth silver band. Clean lines, careful spacing, and subtle variation in the stone give the ring a balanced, understated presence designed for everyday wear.

The ring is stamped “.925 BGM,” a hallmark associated with Zuni silversmith Bernard G. Marquez, known for clean construction and finely executed inlay rather than heavy silver ornamentation. Alongside the BGM mark are small stamped symbols — likely shop or personal maker’s marks — commonly used by Native American silversmiths working within family shops or small studio settings. These symbols function as internal identifiers or quality marks and are frequently seen on authentic Zuni jewelry, especially pieces made outside large commercial operations.

The turquoise inlay displays natural variation in tone, ranging from soft robin’s-egg blue to slightly greener hues, consistent with Southwestern U.S. turquoise often used in Zuni channel work. The stones are cut thin and set precisely, a technique that prioritizes lapidary skill and durability.

Slim, comfortable, and intentionally restrained, this ring reflects a tradition where craftsmanship lives in the details — honest materials, careful hands, and silver shaped to endure rather than impress at first glance.

Details:
- Sterling silver, stamped “.925 BGM”
- Additional stamped shop / maker symbols
- Hand-cut turquoise channel inlay
- Likely Zuni craftsmanship
- Approx. weight: 0.2 oz (≈5.7 grams)
- Ring size: 9.75
- Handmade Native American jewelry
- One of a kind

Jack Gringo says:
Some marks are signatures. Others are quiet nods to the hands and shops that made a piece possible. This ring carries both — and wears its history lightly.

Important Note About Condition:

At Jack Gringo, we offer our vintage pieces exactly as we find them — honest, unpolished, and untouched by heavy restoration. We believe time leaves its own signature, and for many collectors, that natural patina is not wear but history. Every mark, soft edge, and shadow in the silver tells a story of where the piece has been and who once carried it. We travel far and wide searching for these objects so you can experience them as close to their original state as possible, just as they surfaced from the world. Once the piece is yours, the choice is yours — polish it, restore it, or leave it as it is. We simply pass it along with respect, letting you decide how its next chapter is written.