NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & BISBEE TURQUOISE RING BY SUNSHINE REEVES. Navajo artist Sunshine Reeves hand crafted this exquisite ring out of sterling silver. Note-ring measures at size 9 3/4, but fits about 9 1/4 because of the width of the band. The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts). Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work. Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work.