Navajo Squash Blossom Appraisal

Handmade Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Squash Blossom Necklace

This is a significant piece of Native American jewelry, specifically a handmade Navajo squash blossom necklace crafted from sterling silver and turquoise. The necklace features a double strand of hand-wrought silver beads (Navajo Pearls) leading to ten silver 'squash blossom' elements, five on each side. Each blossom is set with a teardrop or oval-shaped turquoise cabochon, displaying a vibrant sky-blue hue with subtle dark matrix inclusions typical of Southwestern mines such as Sleeping Beauty or Kingman. The central focus is a large, sandcasted Naja pendant, which is a crescent-shaped horseshoe design with multiple grooved bands. A single, large coordinating turquoise stone is suspended within the Naja, and two small matching turquoise terminals are set at the tips. The construction utilizes serrated bezel settings for each stone, a hallmark of traditional Navajo craftsmanship. The necklace is secured by a simple hook-and-eye clasp. Regarding condition, the piece shows a desirable natural patina and oxidation in the recessed areas of the silver, indicating age, likely dating to the mid-to-late 20th century. The stones appear stable with no visible cracks, and the bead strands show minimal signs of stretching. The overall quality of the metalwork and the consistent color matching of the turquoise suggest a high level of artisanal skill.