c1970 Alberto Contreras Sterling Modernist bolo tie with turquoise 40"
Alberto Contreras was taught silversmithing, by Frank Patania Sr., prior to
1949.
Frank Patania's influence is evident in Contreras silversmithing today, in
2008.
In 1949 Alberto Contreras started his silversmithing shop, which would be one
of
three main, custom silversmithing shops, in Tucson, during that era:
1. Thunderbird Shop - Patania
2. Alberto Contreras
3. Carlos Diaz
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.