Heart-shaped pendant in the style of Kabana

This heart-shaped pendant features a central inlay of iridescent material, appearing to be black mother-of-pearl or abalone, displaying pink and green lustrous overtones. The inlay is set within a rose gold-tone metal frame. The border of the heart exhibits a Greek key (meander) pattern on the upper shoulders and is accented by small, clear round-cut stones along the lower tapered sides, consistent with modern diamond pavé. The bail is also set with several small clear stones. The owner identifies this as Kabana brand; while the inlay technique and design motifs are stylistically consistent with works by Kabana, no maker's marks or metal fineness stamps (such as '14K' or '750') are visible in the photograph to verify this attribution. The pendant is suspended from a thin gold-colored cable chain. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality with precise stone setting and a clean inlay fit, although physical testing for metal purity and stone identity would be required for authentication. Overall condition appears excellent with no visible tarnishing or missing stones in the image provided.

I have examined the digital image provided of this heart-shaped pendant. Based on my visual analysis, the piece demonstrates high-quality inlay work with black mother-of-pearl or abalone and precise stone setting. The owner identifies this as Kabana brand, and the motifs, such as the Greek key pattern and the specific inlay style, are consistent with the aesthetic often associated with that maker. However, I cannot verify this attribution from the photograph alone as no hallmarks or fineness stamps are visible. My value estimate of $1,200 - $1,800 is based on the assumption that the piece is 14k gold with natural shell inlay and diamond accents, consistent with Kabana's typical production. The market for designer southwestern-inspired jewelry remains stable, with high demand for such recognizable motifs. This value is contingent upon physical confirmation of the materials and the maker's mark. If the item were found to be gold-plated rather than solid gold, or if the attribution to the named brand cannot be sustained, the value would likely decrease significantly to the $150 - $400 range as a 'style-of' decorative piece. To provide a more accurate valuation, a physical inspection is required to test the metal purity, verify the stones through gemological testing, and locate a maker's hallmark. Definitive identification would depend on these technical factors and ideally the presence of original retail documentation.