This jewelry piece consists of a 18-inch strand of 'Navajo Pearls'—which are hand-burnished sterling silver beads—supporting a contemporary style Naja pendant. The Naja, a traditional crescent-shaped symbol in Southwest Native American jewelry, is executed here with a sleek, polished finish and geometric stamped decorative elements on the bale. Centered within the Naja is a bezel-set, lozenge-shaped black onyx or jet cabochon, providing a stark contrast to the bright silver. The necklace is secured with a modern lobster-style clasp, suggesting a vintage-contemporary era, likely late 20th century. The silver exhibits a soft, aged patina, particularly in the recessed areas of the beadwork and the stamped engravings on the pendant. The craftsmanship displays high-quality bench-made techniques, with consistent bead sizing and clean solder joins. While no specific maker's mark is visible in the primary view, the overall design and construction are indicative of Navajo silversmithing traditions. The condition appears excellent with minor surface scratches consistent with light wear, and no visible damage to the gemstone or structural integrity of the silver beads.

Upon visual examination of this Navajo-style jewelry suite, I find it to be a high-quality contemporary interpretation of traditional Southwestern motifs. The 18-inch strand of 'Navajo Pearls' demonstrates excellent bench-made consistency, showing the preferred soft, satin-finished patina rather than a harsh factory polish. The Naja pendant, featuring a clean bezel-set onyx cabochon and geometric stamping, indicates a late 20th-century origin, likely 1980s or 1990s, corroborated by the modern lobster clasp. The condition is excellent, with no visible crushing to the hollow beads or fissures in the stone. The market for authenticated Navajo silver remains strong, though the lack of a visible hallmark and the modern clasp suggest this is a high-grade commercial artisan piece rather than a 'classic' historical investment. Comparable sales for 18-inch hand-finished oxidized beads range from $250-$350, with the Naja pendant adding an additional $200-$300 in value. The demand for jet and onyx settings is steady, though generally lower than high-grade turquoise. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on photographic evidence. Without physical inspection, I cannot verify the silver purity (typically .925) via acid testing or confirm if the beads are truly hand-soldered or machine-formed with hand-applied finishing. To finalize authentication, I would require a physical examination of the interior seam of the beads and the bale's reverse for hidden maker's marks, as well as any provenance documentation such as a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) for the artist to command premium pricing.