Vintage Orville Tsinnie Earrings of Purple Spiny Oyster

About the Piece: Here's a showy pair of earrings by the late Navajo master jeweler Orville Tsinne. 

They earrings are a beautiful design and set with purple spiny oyster stones in decorated sterling silver. The purple spiny oyster is a less commonly used stone but one that takes us all the way back to ancient times when shells were used in jewelry-making. 

You'll want to be sure and pair these earrings with your turquoise jewelry because the two stones together are stunning. If you're not looking for the contrast between such bright colors, try the purple spiny with white clam shell. It's perfection!

The earrings measure 1 1/2" x 3/4" and they have big presence! They're clips so you can wear them even if your ears aren't pierced, and they're signed on the reverse.

You can get a better look at these earrings in this video.

Also, check out this matching Orville Tsinnie ring, if you'd like a set.

Summary:

Item: Vintage Orville Tsinnie Earrings of Purple Spiny Oyster 

Attribution: Orville Tsinnie, Navajo

Materials: sterling silver and purple spiny oyster shell

Dimensions:  1 1/2" x 3/4", clips so you can wear them without pierced ears

Signature: yes

Provenance: from a long-time collector of fine Native American jewelry