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Squash Blossom Necklaces
Squash
blossom necklaces are
a traditional adornment for many Native American women, especially
the Navajo. This is ne of the items to which the Navajo silversmiths
devote much skill. The beads are usually spherical and most
commonly plain, although sometimes fluted. They are made by
punching two disks out of a sheet of silver. These are then wrought
into hemispheres. The two are put facing each other to form a sphere and then soldered
together. Bead necklaces are often enriched with beads that have
petal-like additions. These beads are called "squash
blossoms". In native language they are called the "bead that turns
out". Squash blossom necklaces have been worn not only by women and little girls,
but also by men of status such as medicine men and chiefs. Want
to make an offer? Please email us at
n.a.market@gmail.com.
We also do restringing of old necklaces.
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Vintage Zuni Turquoise Needlepoint Necklace
Make a statement with this eye-catching Zuni needlepoint turquoise necklace signed "C.J.". Not technically a "squash Blossom", never the less a gorgeous necklace, circa 1980's. The focal point at the bottom measures 2 5/8" in diameter. The length is 20", not including the circular drop and could be adjusted to be worn shorter. $1500.00 SALE - Now $1200.00!
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Vintage Southern Gem Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
SALE - Now $1550!
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Vintage Solid Silver Yei Figure Squash Blossom Necklace
Signed "JF", Florence Johnson, Navajo who specializes in
the Navajo Yei figures. Circa 1970's, this necklace is 28" long
plus the 2 1/4" long "naja". The Yei along the necklace graduate
in size from 1 1/4" wide by 1" tall to 7/8" by 3/4". The Yei
are spiritual beings and are considered to be intermediaries between the
spirit world and humans. You can read more about them
here.
SALE - Now $1596!
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Vintage 1970's Turquoise Squash Blossom
One of a kind 1970's squash blossom necklace with unique
hand crafted settings, unsigned. Necklace is 27" long plus the 3"
naja and is strung on silver chain. A beautiful and distinctive
piece of Navajo jewelry. SALE - Now $1025!
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Vintage King's Manassa Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
Very nice lightweight easy to wear King's Manassa turquoise squash blossom,
unsigned 24" long plus the 2 3/4 long naja. Circa 1970's. King's Manassa is a very green turquoise mined in
south central Colorado. This site, originally mined by
Ancestral Pueblo peoples, was rediscovered in 1890 by gold prospector I.P. King,
and his descendants still work the claim. Kings Manassa turquoise is best known
for its brilliant greens and golden matrices which this necklace
illustrates beautifully. SALE - Now $659!
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Vintage Hands of Friendship Squash Blossom Necklace
A very unique sterling silver necklace made of 11 sandcast naja-shaped
elements set with turquoise and with the ends of each ending with two hands.
The main centerpiece naja has decorative stamping designs. The
long four sided beads alternating with the traditional round two-part
beads adds a distinctive component to the overall design. One of
the round beads is dented, but is not noticeable and does not detract
from the beauty of the necklace. The length is 28" plus the 2" by
2 1/4" naja. The colors of the turquoise show that this necklace
has a good deal of age to it as some are starting to turn into a greener
hue. The necklace is light and very comfortable to wear.
Circa 1960's. SALE - Now $440!
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1960-70's Very Collectible & Rare Bisbee Turquoise Vintage Squash Blossom Necklace
If you prefer a shorter length for your squash blossom necklace than the traditional 28-30", then this one will be a good one for you to consider. The necklace itself is 24" long, but hangs another 2 1/2" more for the naja. The sterling beads are all bench made. Each of the "blossoms" is about 1 1/2" long by a little less than 1" wide. The naja is a nice 3 1/4" wide by 3" tall. One of the bottom stones on the naja has a thin chip out of it that is hardly visible (see bottom row close-up on linked page). Another stone has an area that was filled with something clear and strong. It is perfectly smooth with the top of the stone. Otherwise the necklace is in wonderful condition. $2625.00SALE - Now $1250!
Bisbee is truly a rare turquoise. It was originally discovered by the Phelps Dodge Company while mining for copper in the 1950's. It was found in an area of the Bisbee mine at what is known as the Lavender Pit. They found the deposits of turquoise until the mid to late 1960's. During the time that the largest quantities of turquoise were being extracted from the mine, the company made no organized effort to recover it. It simply got loaded into large dump trucks and hauled off to the "dumps". Almost all recovered turquoise was picked up by company employees, taking it home in their lunch boxes, etc. Though this activity was prohibited, it was rarely enforced. For several years (mostly the early to late 70s), these individuals were locally known as "dumpers". At the time they were the only source for this fine turquoise.
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Vintage Costume Squash Blossom
FAUX-TURQUOISE-02
If you don't feel the need to invest in the real
thing, this is the perfect alternative! It's got the look of a
real squash blossom necklace, but it's totally costume jewelry.
The length is 24", there are three unique "squash blossoms" on either side, the
beads are a base metal, the clasp is a hook-and-eye and the turquoise is
faux (simulated). It is unmarked as to the company who made it, but it appears
to be circa 1980's. The necklace is very lightweight and in very
good condition. SALE - Now $59.99!
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1960-70's Very Collectible & Rare Vintage Bisbee Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
Another nice shorter squash blossom necklace 28-30", with large pieces of rare Bisbee turquoise. The necklace itself is 24" long, but hangs another 2 1/2" more for the naja. The sterling beads are all bench made. Each of the six "blossom" is about 1 1/2" long by an 1" wide. The naja is a daintier than most, being 2 3/4" wide by 2 3/4" tall. The necklace feels light and is so easy to wear (I had to try it out for a day!).The center stone on the naja has age cracking on the top of it and there is a tiny chip out of the center. The stone is very securely set and the cracks are superficial so I would not worry about the stone falling apart, unless of course, you really whack it on something hard! Keeping a wax on the stone will help it tremendously. Otherwise the necklace is in wonderful condition. SALE - Now $650!
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Gorgeous Vintage Kingman Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace circa 1970's
Many people think that squash blossom necklaces are too heavy to wear. Some are heavy, but this one is not! It has a sizable appearance without being ponderous. The hand crafted bench made beads are relatively large, but since they are hollow they do not add much weight. The length of the necklace is 24" plus the 3 1/4" long naja. Each of the hand crafted blossoms are at least 1 1/4" wide by about 2" long. It is signed "DB". According to my research, there is a Darrel Brown, a Choctaw silversmith who stamps his initials like this, but I cannot be absolutely sure if it is him, or not.
The color of the stones is that beautiful intense turquoise blue
that Kingman turquoise from Arizona is so famous for. They have been
stabilized to retain their color. SOLD
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Extremely Rare One of a Kind Inlaid Vintage Squash Blossom Necklace
Here's one a real show piece that you will likely never see again. The reason this necklace is called a "hip hugger" is because it is so long that it nearly reaches the hips. It is an incredible, extra-long, high quality collector's squash blossom necklace created from beautiful natural turquoise channel set inlaid with sterling silver. This necklace is 36" long plus an additional 5" more with the 5.5" X 4.5" extra-large naja (the horseshoe shape that hangs at the bottom). It is signed "O".
It is very, very rare to find an inlaid squash blossom
necklace, but to find one that is a hip hugger squash blossom
is even more amazing! It weighs 1 pound 4 ounces. That is over 18 troy
ounces or more than 566 grams!
SALE - Now $3500!
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Very Unique Turquoise Vintage Squash Blossom Circa 1960's
This squash blossom necklace is circa 1960's. It is 24" long, plus the naja. The "blossoms" rang from 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" long and about 1/2" to 1" wide. The naja is 3 3/8" wide by 3" long. Beads are 8 mm wide. The turquoise used in this
necklace is the most unusual I have ever seen. Notice the
marvelous swirls in the matrix; it is really amazing! Another wonderful
aspect of this particular necklace are the settings. Each one is
hand stamped and made to fit each individual piece of turquoise. I
have not been able to pinpoint the exact mine that this turquoise came
from, but I feel certain it was in Nevada. SALE - Now $1359!
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1960-70's Lovely & Light - Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
This necklace is perfect in every way: The gorgeous color of the stones is what many think of as "true" turquoise. The stones are genuinely old and natural, not dyed so they have a real turquoise color to them. I believe them to be from the Sleeping Beauty Mine. The necklace is a quintessential squash blossom, with a lovely delicate design where each component is individually handmade. The length and weigh of the necklace is perfect. It is 28" long and while it has a fabulous presence, it is not at all heavy. I have included a close-up photo of a bottom stone in the naja to show that the stone has a small round hole in it. At the time it was made it was filled with a clear resin so there is no chance of it cracking and it is hardly visible. Sleeping Beauty turquoise comes from Arizona and is well-known for being a beautiful blue that is uniform in color with very little to no matrix. Most of the turquoise coming from the mine today is altered or enhanced in some way. The stones in this necklace have not been enhanced. $1295.00 SALE - Now $999!
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Circa 1940's Turquoise & Coral Squash Blossom Necklace
It is rare to find a squash blossom of this age made with turquoise AND coral. This is a very nice vintage piece that was likely made for and worn by a Navajo woman. On the back of the naja are numbers scratched into the silver that read 07 43. I believe this is the date it was either made, or pawned. Scratches in another area are much too faint to make out, but could possibly be initials or a name. The length of the necklace is 26" plus the 3" long naja. Each "squash blossom" is 3/4"-7/8" by 1 3/4"-2". The naja is 3" wide by 3" long. The turquoise stones are naturally irregular in their shape and surface areas. They are very old and are turning beautifully greener in color with age. The beads are bench made and the necklace is strung on sturdy wire. It weighs over 243 grams. $2200.00 SALE - Now $1750!
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1970's turquoise squash blossom necklace with wonderful
golden and brown matrix which appears to be from the Southern Gem mine
in New Mexico. This is an easy to wear necklace, not too long or
heavy. Length is 24 inches long plus the 2 3/4" long naja.
It is well made and strung on silver chain. One stone has a crack,
but is set securely. The bezels around each stone are encircled
with twisted wire and then a ring of silver that is hand stamped.
We also do restringing of old necklaces.
