Southwestern-style pendant with blue-green stone

This item appears to be a teardrop-shaped pendant featuring a polished blue-green stone cabochon, stylistically consistent with turquoise. The stone is set in a simple bezel and suspended from a rectangular vertical bar. This bar features openwork filigree in a scrolling vine or foliate pattern, flanked by small metallic beads or 'granulations' at the corners and base. The metal appears to be silver-toned, possibly sterling silver, though no hallmark is visible in the photograph to confirm purity. The craftsmanship is consistent with Southwestern or artisan jewelry traditions. The stone shows characteristic matrix patterns with light-colored, web-like inclusions. The metal shows a dark patina in the recessed areas of the filigree, helping to highlight the decorative scrollwork. Condition appears good with light surface wear and minor tarnishing consistent with age and use. Because there are no visible maker's marks or stamps identifying the designer or metal content, this identification is based solely on stylistic observation. A physical inspection by a jeweler would be required to verify the metal content and the specific origin of the stone.

Based on my visual examination of the provided photograph, this pendant appears to be a handcrafted piece in the Southwestern style, featuring a blue-green cabochon consistent with turquoise set in a silver-toned metal. I cannot verify the metal's purity or the stone's origin from a photo alone; a physical inspection using acid testing or XRF analysis would be required to confirm if it is sterling silver. The scrolling filigree and granulation suggest artisan production, although the absence of a visible maker's mark or hallmark means the piece remains unattributed. My estimate is based on the assumption that the metal is sterling silver and the stone is a natural turquoise or high-quality stabilized variety. The current market shows steady demand for unbranded Southwestern-style jewelry, though values are significantly lower for items lacking provenance or a recognized artist's stamp. If the metal is found to be a base-metal alloy or the stone is a synthetic composite, the value would likely drop to a decorative range of $10 - $20. To establish a more precise value, I would need to perform a density test on the stone and search for microscopic hallmarks. For now, this range reflects the typical market behavior for generic, well-crafted artisan pendants of this aesthetic and condition.