Lorenzo Tortalita, Kewa Pueblo - Santo Domingo Pueblo (1925-1998) Pendant/pin with turquoise and coral.
Lorenzo Tortalita, Kewa Pueblo - Santo Domingo Pueblo, was an active jeweler from before the 1970s until he passed away in the late 1990s. He was the son of Cipriana Tenorio Tortalita & Reyes Tortalita. He was married to Vickie Reano. Tortalita won a first place award at the 1970 Santa Fe Indian Market and a third place award in 1977. He exhibited annually at Santa Fe Indian Market from 1963 to 1998. His works have been published in numerous magazines and other publications.
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed. A Native American jewelry piece referred to as "silver" or "ingot" is guaranteed to be at least 90% silver. I rarely use the word "sterling" when referring to older Native American silver or really any older silver jewelry as silver contents vary and "sterling" is 92.5% silver. No older jewelry is going to be exactly 92.5% silver, some a little over, some a little under. It wasn't an exact thing with handmade jewelry. I've seen thousands of pieces xrf'd to prove this. Bracelets are photographed on a 6" women's wrist.
