We don't just sell bolo ties. We live them.
To us, a bolo tie is not a fleeting trend or a simple accessory. It is a piece of American history forged in silver, a statement of rugged individualism, a work of art worn at the throat. It is the quiet confidence of a vintage Bennett clasp clicking into place, the cool weight of a Kingman turquoise stone, the story held within the patina of aged leather.
This understanding wasn't born in a boardroom; it was earned on the road. Our journey began not as merchants, but as collectors, spending years traversing the sun-drenched highways of the Southwest. It was learned in dusty Arizona pawn shops, in conversations with multi-generational Navajo silversmiths, and in the patient study of thousands of pieces—learning to feel the difference between Tufa-cast silver and a modern alloy, to see the story in an artist's hallmark, and to understand the soul of a piece long before we ever looked at its price tag.
Bolo-Tie.com was founded on a single, uncompromising principle: to share this passion with a level of expertise and transparency that we, as collectors, always wished to find.
Our Commitments Are Our Foundation
- Curation Over Volume: We do not aim to be the biggest; we strive to be the best. Every piece in our "The Atelier" collection is hand-selected and vetted for its craftsmanship, its story, and its style. We only sell what we would be proud to have in our own private collections.
- Radical Transparency: The world of bolo ties can be opaque. We make it clear. Our Bolo Tie Encyclopedia is a testament to our commitment to education. We will always be honest about our materials—from the sterling silver of an artisan masterpiece to the modern alloys of our accessible "The Essentials" collection. Our mission is to empower you with knowledge.
- Respect for the Craft: We believe in honoring the legacy of the artisans who defined this art form. We stand firmly by the principles of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (IACA), ensuring every piece advertised as Native American-made is authentic and ethically sourced.
Meet Our Curators
Julian Thorne, Founder & Lead Curator
"A bolo tie is the only piece of jewelry that looks you straight in the eye. It has a presence, a story. My job is to listen to that story and share it with you."
Julian's journey into the world of bolo ties didn't begin in fashion, but in history. It started over twenty years ago in a dusty pawn shop off Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, with a single piece: a heavy, sterling silver bolo from the 1960s. On its back was the faint, unmistakable stamp of a "Bennett Pat. Pend." clasp, and at its heart was a piece of Kingman turquoise so deep it looked like a fragment of a stormy sky. That first encounter sparked a lifelong passion for collecting and, more importantly, for understanding these wearable artifacts.
Those early years were spent on the road, crisscrossing the Southwest, digging through museum archives, and, most importantly, spending time with the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi silversmiths who are the true masters of this art form. It was there he learned to feel the difference between materials, to read the story in an artist's hallmark, and to appreciate the subtle language of a well-earned patina.
He founded Bolo-Tie.com with a simple, powerful mission: to create the resource he wished he'd had when he started. A place built on radical transparency, a deep respect for craftsmanship, and a genuine desire to share the passion of collecting. Every piece in our "The Atelier" collection is selected by Julian personally, chosen not just for its beauty, but for its authenticity, its character, and the story it tells.
An Invitation
We invite you not just to shop, but to explore. Read our guides. Discover the history. When you choose a bolo tie from us, you are not just making a purchase. You are acquiring a piece of a legacy, curated by people who care, and joining a community of individuals who value authenticity and style.
Welcome to Bolo-Tie.com.