Southwestern Sterling Silver and Turquoise Naja Bib Necklace

This is a Southwestern-style bib necklace featuring high-quality turquoise stones set in sterling silver. The necklace is constructed with a rigid, curved arc frame that supports seven oval turquoise cabochons. Each stone is secured in a sawtooth bezel and is accented with delicate twisted wire (rope) detail and silver spheres at the base. At the center of the arc sits a small upside-down crescent, known as a 'Naja', which is a traditional Navajo symbol. The turquoise varies in color from bright sky blue to a light seafoam green, suggesting natural stones with slight matrix variations. The bib portion is attached to a standard silver link chain. While no hallmark is visible in the photograph, the craftsmanship is indicative of Native American (likely Navajo) or Southwestern artisan work. The silver shows a light patina, particularly in the recessed areas around the rope detailing, which adds to the depth of the design. The overall condition appears excellent with no visible cracks in the stones or structural damage to the silver arc or chain. This style is reflective of late 20th-century to contemporary Southwestern jewelry production.

I have virtually examined this Southwestern bib-style necklace featuring seven turquoise cabochons and a central Naja motif. The construction utilizes sterling silver with characteristic Navajo design elements, including sawtooth bezels and rope twist accents. The turquoise displays a range of blue-to-green hues with slight matrix variation, consistent with untreated or stabilized American turquoise commonly used in high-quality artisan pieces. The condition is excellent, showing a balanced patina that suggests vintage age (likely 1970s-1990s) without compromise to the structural integrity of the silver arc or solder points. The secondary market for vintage Southwestern jewelry remains strong, with Naja-themed pieces commanding higher interest than standard squash blossoms or simple pendants. Comparable sales for unsigned but high-quality bib necklaces typically fall within the $400 to $700 range. The value is slightly constrained by the lack of a visible artist's hallmark, which would otherwise provide a premium if attributed to a known smith. Limitations: This evaluation is based on visual analysis only. Full authentication requires a physical inspection to confirm the silver's fineness via acid testing, as many unmarked pieces can be coin silver or nickel silver. Additionally, a microscopic exam is necessary to determine if the stones are natural, stabilized, or synthetic, and to check for hidden fractures. Provenance documentation or a verified hallmark would be required to significantly increase the valuation above the current estimate.