The “bolo” or “string tie” is commonly associated with the western-wear of the American Southwest. Although Native American jewelers have been making bolo ties of twisted leather and silver since the late 1950s,  the “bolo tie” was actually “invented” and patented by an Anglo silversmith: Victor Cedarstaff of Wickenburg, Arizona.  While horseback riding with a friend in 1954, Cedarstaff's  hat blew off his head but remained tethered to his neck by a thin leather strap.  His friend said something like, “Victor, that's some kind of necktie!” and a new fashion trend was born.

The word "bolo" (as well as the bolo tie's traditional popularity with cowboys) seems to have a connection to Argentinian "bolas":  cords used by South American gauchos to entangle the legs of cattle. In Arizona (1971), and later in New Mexico (2007) these string ties became official state neck wear.  Bolos are made of braided leather, often with silver tips and an ornamental clasp that slides up to the top of a shirt in much the same manner as the knot in a regular cloth tie. Native American Silversmiths today make bolo ties in silver, gold, inlaid stone (often turquoise), and even bead work on leather.  Commercial bolo ties that are mass produced are made of “pot metal” and copper and can range in price from $5 to $20.  However, the fine gold and silver bolos made by well-known Native American jewelers can cost over $6,000 (JH, DH).