Tear Drop Ring Appraisal

Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Tear Drop Cluster Ring

This is a vintage sterling silver ring adorned with four vibrant turquoise teardrop or pear-shaped cabochons. The stones are set individually in plain silver bezels, demonstrating a simple yet effective method of securing the gemstones. Between each turquoise stone, and flanking the outermost stones, are small, circular silver beads or 'drops' which add a decorative touch and break up the linearity of the row of stones. The silver appears to have a natural patina commensurate with age, suggesting it has not been recently polished down to a bright shine, which is desirable for vintage Native American or Southwestern pieces. The band itself is not fully visible due to the angle of the photograph, but it appears to be a solid construction. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures from the provided image, which is common for older, handmade pieces. The overall craftsmanship suggests a handcrafted quality with good attention to detail in the setting of the stones and the uniform placement of the silver drops. The turquoise stones exhibit a striking robin's egg blue color with minimal visible matrix, indicating a relatively high-grade turquoise. The condition appears good overall, with no obvious chips or cracks in the stones, and the silver elements seem intact. This piece likely dates from the mid-20th century, consistent with the style of turquoise and silver jewelry popular during that period.