Native American style turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace

This physical item is a traditional-style squash blossom necklace composed of a double strand of spherical silver beads that transition into a series of petal-shaped stations, each set with a natural turquoise cabochon displaying characteristic brownish matrix webbing. The necklace features a central horseshoe-shaped naja pendant set with multiple matching turquoise stones, surrounded by twisted wire work and flanked by downward-pointing blossom elements featuring stamped leaf or feather details. The metal appears to be sterling silver or coin silver, exhibiting a moderate vintage patina with expected surface micro-scratches and areas of tarnish consistent with age and prior wear. The construction details, such as the bezel settings and hand-strung beads, are consistent with mid-20th-century Southwest Native American silversmithing techniques, though no hallmarks are visible from this photographic angle to verify the maker. The owner has provided additional unverified context suggesting that a marking on the back reads either RE or KE, but this claim remains unverified without a direct physical inspection and clear image of the reverse side. The overall aesthetic is characteristic of traditional Navajo or Zuni jewelry craftsmanship.

Based on the visual evidence available in the photograph, I have evaluated this traditional-style squash blossom necklace featuring natural turquoise cabochons and a central naja pendant. Per user submission: the owner notes that a marking on the back appears to read either RE or KE. I cannot verify this hallmark from the provided photographic angle, and physical inspection would be required to evaluate its clarity and placement. My estimate assumes the attribution is correct and that the materials and construction are consistent with mid-20th-century Southwest Native American silversmithing. Traditional vintage squash blossom necklaces with natural turquoise and sterling or coin silver generally command strong demand in the current market, driven by collectors of antique and vintage Native American jewelry. However, this estimate is contingent upon the piece being an authentic period-appropriate work. If physical inspection, hallmark verification, or expert appraisal reveals the item to be a later reproduction, replica, copy, or produced 'in the style of' rather than a vintage piece by the suspected maker, the market value would likely decrease significantly, falling closer to $600-$1,000 for a vintage-style piece or less for a modern mass-produced replica. To secure a higher level of certainty regarding value and attribution, further steps would be needed, including an in-person physical examination by a qualified specialist in Southwestern jewelry, detailed analysis of the hallmark, and potentially provenance documentation.