Vintage Southwest Style Turquoise and Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

This is a pair of vintage open-hoop or C-shaped earrings, likely of Southwestern or Native American origin (Zuni or Navajo style). The earrings are constructed from what appears to be patinated sterling silver, featuring a row of small, round, cabochon-cut turquoise stones set in individual sawtooth or serrated bezels. The stones exhibit a vibrant, light blue hue with subtle natural matrix variations, characteristic of Sleeping Beauty or similar high-quality turquoise mines. The metal displays a heavy tarnish or intentional oxidation (patina), which provides high contrast against the bright stones. Each earring is equipped with a traditional post and butterfly-clutch friction back for pierced ears. The craftsmanship shows signs of hand-construction, including slight irregularities in the bezel setting and the curvature of the silver bands. Condition-wise, the pieces show evidence of wear consistent with age, specifically surface scratches on the silver and significant darkening of the metal. There is no visible sign of stone loss or cracks, though the posts show slight bending from utility. These likely date to the mid-to-late 20th century, representing a classic example of artisan silverwork from the American Southwest.