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.

I have conducted a visual examination of this Navajo squash blossom necklace. The piece exhibits high-quality sandcasting in the Naja and expert hand-wrought beadwork, characteristic of mid-to-late 20th-century Navajo craftsmanship. The use of serrated bezels and the specific oxidation pattern suggests an authentic vintage origin. The turquoise stones display a color profile and matrix consistent with the Sleeping Beauty or Kingman mines, which are highly sought after by collectors. Market conditions for authentic Native American jewelry remain strong, particularly for pieces with significant silver weight and uniform stone matching. Comparable sales for mid-century necklaces of this scale and stone count typically fall within the $4,500 to $6,000 range. Its value is bolstered by the presence of 'Navajo Pearls' and the excellent state of preservation, with no visible hairline fractures in the turquoise. However, a definitive appraisal is limited by the digital nature of this inspection. A full authentication would require a physical examination to verify the metal's silver content through acid testing or XRF analysis, an inspection of the stringing material (looking for sinew or aged wire), and a closer look at the tool marks on the reverse of the blossoms. Provenance documentation or a known maker's mark would further refine this valuation. Without physical handling, I cannot definitively confirm if the stones have been stabilized or if the silver is coin or sterling grade.