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The Buckle That Keeps the Sky: Martin Suske’s Ranger Set

Twenty small skies, a frame of silver, and a promise to hold fast.


Video showcasing a sterling-silver turquoise ranger belt buckle set (buckle, keeper, tip) with close-ups of hand-stamped details and oval cabochons on a leather strap, filmed in natural outdoor light.

Some mornings the pasture forgets to breathe. Dew hangs in the wire like notes on a staff, and the fence posts keep time for the sun. A rider slows to listen; a buckle listens back. Its turquoise stones wake first—blue as creek water over shadow, blue as distance you can taste. The silver keeps its cool, the way old truths do when the day starts asking questions.

This is a ranger buckle from the hands of Navajo silversmith Martin Suske, where Western grit meets Native artistry—the ropework bright as a whistle, the edges feathered like wind over sandstone. The stones are natural Kingman turquoise—eighteen of them—each cabochon a weather report from the desert, some robin’s-egg, some storm-speckled with matrix. Big Nose Kate Co.


It’s a four-piece set—buckle, keeper, tip, and loop—so the song comes in harmony, not solo. Built for a 1-inch ranger-style strap, it sits low and certain, a quiet chorus that steadies whatever the day throws. The buckle face measures about 3.5 by 2.5 inches, generous without swagger, classic without apology. Big Nose Kate Co.


Collectors chase Suske’s work because he honors traditional Navajo techniques while nudging the frontier forward. That balance shows here: hand-stamped details, thoughtful patina, and turquoise that reads like sky held in the palm. It’s not costume; it’s company—made to ride from chore time to champagne, from the feed store to the good boots. And yes, there’s only one—the kind of piece that becomes a family rumor if you let it. Big Nose Kate Co.


With respect: this piece is presented to honor Navajo silversmithing traditions. We celebrate authentic craftsmanship and avoid imitation of specific tribal regalia.


Sterling silver ranger belt buckle with oval turquoise cabochons, resting on a brown clothbound book in bright outdoor light.
Sterling silver ranger belt buckle with oval turquoise cabochons, resting on a brown clothbound book in bright outdoor light.


Materials & Craft


  • Artist: Martin Suske (Navajo)

  • Metal: Solid sterling silver, hand-stamped with feathered engraving

  • Stones: Natural Kingman turquoise, 18 cabochons (hue and matrix vary by nature)

  • Set: Four pieces—buckle, keeper, tip, loop

  • Fit: For a 1" ranger-style leather strap

  • Dimensions: Approx. 3.5" × 2.5" buckle face Big Nose Kate Co.


Styling Notes


  • Make it the headline over crisp denim and a white shirt; let the turquoise do the talking.

  • Wrap a black dress and boots—silver becomes starlight, turquoise the after-dark hush.

  • Pair with Navajo pearls or a single turquoise ring for harmony rather than a shout.


Care & Keeping


Wipe gently after wear. Keep away from moisture and perfumes. Polish the silver sparingly to preserve the hand-worked character; avoid ultrasonic cleaners around set stones.


Fasten the sky and ride.




“Blue as a kept promise, steady as a fence post at dawn.”



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