Buried jewelry found

[Joejxn]

I found what looks to be a bracelet in the mountains of Colorado a few years ago, it was buried in the dirt on the side of the hill but looked like water had washed it away exposing it. No idea what it is so my boss directed me to this site for advice, a jeweler told me it is silver but it has no stamping and he says he believes hand made. If anyone has any ideas of what or who from please share.

 

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[ARC]

Did you test it ? ? ?
If they said a jeweler looked at it and said it’s silver...why the negative tone? I know the nature of some folks is to doubt everything they don’t find but come on....it’s a great eyeball find nevertheless.

When i first posted i stated "Looks Tibetan"... When in actually... truth be known... I knew exactly what it was.

I stated my opinion... nothing negative... And I do not "doubt what i don't find"... And like others stated... I will bet it is NOT silver.

Reamer this is WHY I am here... to help... not hurt.

I have handled 100 Tibetan bracelets... In fact in the early nineties I imported Bali silver... REAL Tibetan made silver I might add. heh

Have handled Tibetan goods of all types... from prayer scrolls... to Tear catchers.... to fossilized Red Coral.

 

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[pepperj]

Magnifying the pictures up to max I can now see spots of what appears to be indications that this might not be silver. There are pinkish/red spots still embedded in some areas (jeweller's rough?) if this was silver it would of come up cleaner/shinier. There are wear spot on the studs (pic #2) that look very brass like in nature, these were never highlighted in gold.

 

[ARC]

Magnifying the pictures up to max I can now see spots of what appears to be indications that this might not be silver. There are pinkish/red spots still embedded in some areas (jeweller's rough?) if this was silver it would of come up cleaner/shinier. There are wear spot on the studs (pic #2) that look very brass like in nature, these were never highlighted in gold.

And with all the other statements from other knowledgeable members...

I rest my case. heh

 

[pepperj]

There was one thing that the SE Asia markets mastered and that was the fake everything. What something old, make it, bury it, wait, dig it up, sell it to the traveller. Amazing craftsmanship when it came to deception if wanted. Reason were the original sold out=world demand was still knocking at the door=just make more=worked.
So this could be a piece from 3+ decades ago, that fit the market.
It could of had the 2 dragon/or similar faces that were taken off the piece, they might of been silver highlights or just looked cool.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I have to agree with ARC, this piece looks more likely to be silver-plate on brass.

I'm also thinking this is more than likely to be a 'Votive Offering', as opposed to simply being a 'lost bracelet'.
What other explanation could there be for how a 'Tibetan' piece of jewelry ended up being "buried in the dirt on the side of the hill" in Colorado.

"A votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made in order to gain favor with supernatural forces. These offerings served as an important expression of the personal relationship between ancient peoples and their gods and goddesses."

Dave

 

[pepperj]

The two shoulder motifs have been snapped off the piece. The question also begs why would somebody ba*****ize the piece before loosing/hiding/offering/discarding or for ever reason.
It certainly wasn't a lost item-reason being the person probably wouldn't be wearing a bracelet that had the 2 striking motifs broken off-would be strange if they did.

Most offerings of an image/icon/statue/god/deity/what ever are a whole piece-not a ba*****ized piece.

More then likely this pice is made up of 20 little pieces to make the bracelet.
The shoulder motifs were more than likely silver-so they were striped off and the rest was thrown/discarded away.

 

[releventchair]

The two shoulder motifs have been snapped off the piece. The question also begs why would somebody ba*****ize the piece before loosing/hiding/offering/discarding or for ever reason.
It certainly wasn't a lost item-reason being the person probably wouldn't be wearing a bracelet that had the 2 striking motifs broken off-would be strange if they did.

Most offerings of an image/icon/statue/god/deity/what ever are a whole piece-not a ba*****ized piece.

More then likely this pice is made up of 20 little pieces to make the bracelet.
The shoulder motifs were more than likely silver-so they were striped off and the rest was thrown/discarded away.

Half the fun is in the wondering. People have been doing interesting , or to us sometimes strange things; a long time..
A "Mizpah" type deal could occur among a small group. Each having a piece to reunite.

I've long puzzled over mixed origin arrowheads (from a like era) around a hundred miles apart along connecting waterways on two sites recovered together. And seemingly placed together originally.
Was it a political or social alliance? It just seemed(s) too low of odds to be coincidence. More like a mixed deliberate group deliberately joined them at the same time.

 

[ARC]

Thank you for not quoting pepp... edited

My earlier morning posts are sometimes... errr.

:P

 

[pepperj]

I will have to do more as far as silver testing but for being in the dirt for how ever long then sitting in my closet for atleast 5 years now it’s hasn’t shown any signs of rusting and it’s had nothing on it but the dirt wiped off it. I do agree the style and symbol of that one on Amazon are the same and that’s a good start for me, just have to see I guess it’s true material.

It won't rust, as if it's only plated it will be on a base non-ferrous metal-most likely brass. Only real cheap imitation jewelry would stick to a magnet-fast test for you-no stick-no rust.
I guess the biggest part of figuring out the "why's" of the find would be "was it lost or tossed?"
When you ever get a chance get it tested-then post up the findings.
Best of luck on your next hunt.
BTW-Finding this bracelet is a pretty cool recovery-should of stated that in the beginning instead of debating the origin of the why's.

 

[A2coins]

Who evr made it dang thats a big hunk of silver. Hills always seem to pay off for me .Great find thats really cool

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

It won't rust, as if it's only plated it will be on a base non-ferrous metal-most likely brass. Only real cheap imitation jewelry would stick to a magnet-fast test for you-no stick-no rust.
I guess the biggest part of figuring out the "why's" of the find would be "was it lost or tossed?"
When you ever get a chance get it tested-then post up the findings.
Best of luck on your next hunt.
BTW-Finding this bracelet is a pretty cool recovery-should of stated that in the beginning instead of debating the origin of the why's.

This is a significant find for you and for the State of Colorado Joe, but I also think it's important to discuss theories as to why relics end up where they do. If we simply recover relics from the past but don't take the time to share ideas about how or why they end up where they did, then what's the point of doing what we do? This is one of the main reasons why I chose to take up metal detecting as a hobby.
Dave

 

[pepperj]

This is a significant find for you and for the State of Michigan Joe,

I have to ask why?

What significance would this find have on the State of Michigan or any state for that matter?

It was found in Colorado.......

 

[ARC]

It won't rust, as if it's only plated it will be on a base non-ferrous metal-most likely brass. Only real cheap imitation jewelry would stick to a magnet-fast test for you-no stick-no rust.
I guess the biggest part of figuring out the "why's" of the find would be "was it lost or tossed?"
When you ever get a chance get it tested-then post up the findings.
Best of luck on your next hunt.
BTW-Finding this bracelet is a pretty cool recovery-should of stated that in the beginning instead of debating the origin of the why's.

These ARE cheap... wholesale... with a cost of roughly 4-10 dollars IMO.

Also... if you bought them direct... as an importer... your cost would be half that.

These are considered a "tourist piece"... and i would date this to the mid 1990's... around 94 at earliest... again IMO.

PS...

I base my opinions... on REAL actual hands on experience.

The value of this item today... IN PERFECT condition = What you could get someone to pay.

And if it were mine today... and again... in PERFECT condition...

I would ask 10 bucks.

This one... 2.

Sorry... but it is what it is.

 

[ARC]

This is a significant find for you and for the State of Michigan Joe, but I also think it's important to discuss theories as to why relics end up where they do. If we simply recover relics from the past but don't take the time to share ideas about how or why they end up where they did, then what's the point of doing what we do? This is one of the main reasons why I chose to take up metal detecting as a hobby.
Dave

Anti... not sure if you caught it... OR... it was intentional...

But your quoted pepper j post is directed at Joe - OP.

PS...

"significant find" does not apply here.

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

beautiful piece

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I have to ask why?

What significance would this find have on the State of Michigan or any state for that matter?

It was found in Colorado.......

I stand corrected... Colorado.
My initial suggestion that this was more than likely a votive offering in this case, still seems logical.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Cool find, Joejxn. Pretty good to post something that gets the peeps talking. Makes for a great learning experience for all.