Conchos are traditionally made of silver, though cheaper metals may be used and treated to look like silver. They probably originated from hammering silver coins that were strung together on leather. The silver discs are normally stamped with a floral or geometric design and often inlaid with semi-precious stones, usually turquoise.
In the 1870's, Navajo silversmiths began producing conchos for use in their own communities, perhaps after seeing comparable ornaments from Mexico. Navajo and Zuni silversmiths continue to produce conchos today and these have become collector's items.
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 9h July 2016).
SA