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Squash Blossom Necklace
The squash blossom necklace, is the quintessence southwestern jewelry. For anyone who collects and loves to wear Navajo and Zuni jewelry, this is a highly sought after item. There is a lot of interest in how this particular design evolved.
The arrival of Spanish explorers into the American Southwest brought
a new
skill and art form to the Navajo Indians. This was the use of silver metal made
into objects, called silversmithing. (See our article "The
History of Navajo Silversmithing".)
One of the items to which the Navajo silversmiths devoted much skill to is the necklace made of silver beads. These 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". No one really knows the origin of the term, but it may
have been a mistranslation between English, Spanish and one of the Southwestern
Indian languages
.
A necklace with beads shaped like this is called a "squash blossom" necklace. Most squash blossoms today have turquoise or other stones set in silver along with the silver beads.
In addition, among the designs that the Navajo adopted is a crescent-shaped object that the Spanish had on their silver horse bridles called a "naja". The Indians have incorporated this design and you will frequently find it hanging from the bottom of most squash blossom necklaces.
This necklace, unique to the American southwest, is a traditional adornment for the Navajo, and has been for many centuries. It has been worn not only by women and little girls, but also by men of status such as medicine men and chiefs.
We Accept Jewelry On Consignment - At Native American Market we receive many emails every week from individuals who want to know how to sell their turquoise jewelry. They have squash blossom necklaces, bracelets, rings and more that they have purchased over the years or have inherited and no longer want.
There are many advantages to consigning turquoise jewelry with Native American Market. We offer the highest commission usually paid to people who consign with jewelry stores. We offer a 70/30 split, in which you receive 70% of sale proceeds*.
One obvious advantage in consigning your jewelry with Native American Market is that we already have a major web presence and turquoise jewelry clients. Additionally, we are also able to accept credit cards and can process a credit card sale. Another reason many people prefer to consign is simply because they don't have to worry about security or deal personally with potential buyers (see our article on ways to sell your jewelry). *Less 3% credit card fees.
Estate Jewelry - We consign fine quality old pawn or turquoise estate jewelry. Please read this article to help you understand what your options are to sell your jewelry.
