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Table of Contents
What does squash blossom necklace mean?
The squash blossom as a design concept originated with the Navajo. They were the first Southwest tribe to utilize the design of the edible gourd, an important source of sustenance. The naja is also representative of the womb; a single nugget of turquoise suspended from the pendant symbolizes a child growing within.
How much does a squash blossom necklace weigh?
And at 303 grams it has some weight to it, more silver than many light weight necklaces made today.
What are the parts of a squash blossom necklace?
While the entire necklace has taken its name from one type of bead, the classic squash blossom necklace actually has three distinct parts: the plain round beads; the round beads with the “petals,” so to speak; and the horseshoe-like pendant at the bottom called the Naja.
What is my squash blossom necklace worth?
Note that many handmade, authentic squash blossom necklace sets are easily worth $1,500, with individual squash blossom pendants being worth over $300. If a seller offers you a necklace for a low price, like $100, you can safely assume that the product is a counterfeit.
Pearl Squash Blossom
How do you clean an old squash blossom necklace?
Mix a bowl of very hot water with Amonia (1/4 cup) and dishwashing liquid (2-3 TBSP). NO CHLORINE. NO BLEACH. I recommend that you test the end of necklace and brush it a few times and rinse.
Pearl Squash Blossom
How to clean a Squash Blossom necklace
Got a dirty old Squash Blossom necklace that needs cleaning? Follow this step-by-step cleaning guide and get the necklace out of the drawer and around your neck.
This cleaning guide is used to remove dirt and some tarnished areas. We clean all of our jewelry using this method, even “old deposit” jewelry. When done properly, this cleaning technique will remove dirt, grime, and some tarnish, but will retain the patina (the fine scratches in the surface that show wear). In my opinion it doesn’t affect the value of “old pawn” jewelry. If you’re concerned about affecting the value of your piece, stop and get a second opinion.
Is it OK to wear Native American jewelry?
In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer. And if there’s something that you really shouldn’t be wearing — i.e. a headdress with special religious or tribal significance — the artist you’re buying from will likely let you know.
Pearl Squash Blossom
Urban Outfitters last week settled a five-year legal battle with the Navajo Nation that arose after the American brand released a line of products that borrowed the Navajo name and aesthetic without their permission (and without compensating them). While both parties seem happy with the new settlement, the lesson the suit sends out is loud and clear: Appropriating Aboriginal fashion is not to be taken lightly.
So what if you love the jewelry or clothing made and worn by indigenous peoples, but that’s not your heritage?
Luckily, many local artists don’t mind non-locals wearing their designs or borrowing from their aesthetic. They just want to be paid fairly and recognized for their cultural contribution. In short, wearing aboriginal patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought it from a real aboriginal designer. And if there’s something you really shouldn’t wear – e.g. a headdress with particular religious or tribal meaning – the artist you are buying from will likely let you know.
Art fairs, like this weekend’s Native Art Market at the National Museum of the American Indian, are a perfect place to find authentic Native American designs and meet the artists behind them. The market, which takes place on December 3rd and 4th from 10am to 5pm, features 35 artists offering everything from Alaskan furs to wampum jewelry.
As tensions continue to mount over the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, there has never been a better time to show your support for native designers. So if you’re in New York, head to Tribeca today and check out the Native Art Market – and if you can’t make it to see the full selection in person, browse some of our favorite vendors online here.
Aaron Brokeshoulder (absent Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma) – sterling silver jewelry
Do you have A. Brokeshoulder
Denise Wallace (Chugach Alutiiq) – Storytelling Jewels from Alaska
Denise Wallace
Dorothy Grant (Haida) – Designer clothing and leather bags
Dorothy Grant
Jimmie Harrison (Diné) – inlaid jewellery
Sedona Indian Jewelry
Kristen Dorsey (Chickasaw Nation) – Gold and silver jewelry
Kristen Dorsey designs
Lyle Secatero (Diné) – Traditional sterling silver jewelry
Lyle Secatero
Matagi Sorensen (Yavapai Apache Nation) – Sculptural silver jewelry
Matagi art
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How can you tell if Native American jewelry is real?
A genuine piece will have no wavering lines or lopsided designs, well-cut stones that are uniform in size, and no visible glue between the metal and stone. Also be on the lookout for sterling silver versus silver-plated jewelry. A quick way to tell the difference is to hold a small magnet to the piece.
Pearl Squash Blossom
However, if you are looking for a piece of authentic Native American jewelry to add to your art collection, the criteria to consider go beyond simple taste and aesthetics. Unfortunately, there are some sellers who will attempt to present imitations as genuine works of Native American art. But luckily we have some tips to help you tell the difference!
View seller’s entire inventory.
Authentic Native American jewelry is handcrafted by individual artisans, which means no two pieces are alike. Do a little research on your potential seller’s entire inventory. If you see the same pieces over and over again, especially with the same hallmark (the signature of a single silversmith), you should take that as a red flag.
Check the quality of the materials.
Native American artists use only high quality stones and metals in their jewelry. Sometimes spotting a fake is as simple as a close look at the craftsmanship. A genuine piece will have no stray lines or crooked designs, well-cut stones that are a consistent size, and no visible glue between the metal and stone.
Also, be mindful of sterling silver jewelry versus silver plated jewelry. A quick way to tell the difference is to hold a small magnet to the piece. If it’s real sterling silver, the magnet won’t pull on it. Silver-plated parts contain nickel, which becomes magnetized.
Ask for specific information about the artist.
Especially when a piece of Native American jewelry is new and not an artifact, the seller should know and be able to tell you its exact provenance. That means identifying the artist’s tribe and possibly their clan ties as well (if you’re buying direct from an artist). In addition, you should always ask for a written confirmation of authenticity when buying genuine Native American jewelry.
At Faust Gallery we pride ourselves on our collection of authentic Native American jewelry – much of which is handcrafted by artisans with whom we have a personal relationship. With over 30 years of experience buying, selling and appraising Native American art, we can guarantee the authenticity of every Native American-made piece we offer for sale.
Visit our website to browse our historical and contemporary collections!
Why is it called a squash blossom?
Squash blossom beads are named (“the beads that spread out”) for their likeness to an actual squash or pomegranate blossoms, although sometimes the design does not actually incorporate the ‘beads that spread out’. Early on, the beads used were rounded and simple.
Pearl Squash Blossom
The squash blossom necklace is often thought to be rooted in the jewelery traditions of the southwestern Diné people, inherited from the Zuni and Hopi, and is also traditionally found in work by the Plains tribes. The Navajo are believed to be the first tribe to begin using the Squash Blossom design around the 1870s. By the turn of the 20th century, several other surrounding tribes had also adopted the design. This timeline means that the Squash Blossom may be the first piece of jewelry designed by Native Americans to also have European influence.
The elements of the Squash Blossom Necklace derive from ancient cultures but come together in a uniquely Navajo tradition. In the American Southwest, Spanish and Moorish influences introduced the naja form, which can be traced back through several cultures to the Paleolithic period. The word Naja in the native Navajo language means “crescent shape” or “curve.” The naja shape was used to decorate the horse’s reins by the Spanish, and over time was adopted as the centerpiece for the pumpkin blossom necklace. Squash blossom beads are named for their resemblance to actual pumpkin or pomegranate blossoms (“the beads that spread”), although sometimes the design doesn’t actually include the “beads that spread.”
In the past, the beads used were round and simple. Sometimes dimes and quarters were used. Today you can find highly collectible pieces made from handmade, hand-twisted beads, fluted beads, and intricately designed cast beads. There are craftsmen working in styles reminiscent of the early styles using traditional cluster work, vintage coins and sterling silver beads, while contemporary styles incorporate naja, stone and metal to create striking modern traditional pieces.
Squash Blossom sets and necklaces are now made not only in sterling silver, but also in gold and mixed metals, as well as a variety of stones including high-quality blue or green turquoise, gaspeit, red coral, white buffalo, spiny oyster, and other well-known favorites .
Perhaps the most appealing quality of the squash blossom design is the strength it exudes on the wearer. There is a sense of individuality and boldness associated with each squash blossom. Sunwest has several squash blossom designs available to ensure we can offer you the squash blossom necklace that perfectly suits your personality. To view our squash blossom inventory, click here. If you cannot find the design you are looking for on our website, please visit our retail location in Albuquerque to find other variations.
How do I identify old pawn jewelry?
Authentic Old Pawn jewelry will have a natural gray patina, indicating age. It takes decades for the patina to develop and may appear grayer in dry climates like the southwest. Humidity will add a darker, blacker patina. Patina typically isn’t buffed off in order to preserve its history and value.
Pearl Squash Blossom
History of ancient pawn jewellery
Old Pawn jewelry gets its name from its history. From the early 1900s, jewelry pawning was a common practice between Native Americans and traders. Native Americans pawned jewelry in times of need, meaning most pieces were family heirlooms that included valuable turquoise and silver. Jewelry was a way for Native Americans to carry their wealth and receive financial support in times of need.
How to recognize old pawn jewellery
gems
Turquoise is the most common stone in Old Pawn jewelry. Natural turquoise is porous and changes to a greener color, so it’s not uncommon for authentic pieces to have discolored stones.
weight
Older jewelry is heavy because it contains a lot of silver. This commonality in Navajo jewelry is easy to see in person. Newer Old Pawn jewelry is lighter and may not contain as much silver as their older counterparts.
craftsmanship and design
Authentic Old Pawn jewelry features complex construction, intricate designs, and large turquoise stones. Pieces from around 1945 have no owner’s initials or maker’s marks, so it’s important to look for other clues to indicate authenticity.
wear and tear
Authentic Old Pawn jewelry will have a natural gray patina that is indicative of age. The patina takes decades to develop and can appear grayer in dry climates like the Southwest. Moisture adds a darker, blacker patina. Patina is not usually sanded down to preserve its history and value.
Keep your old pawn jewelry safe
Once you have identified your old pawn jewellery, keep it with us! We are SecurCare Self Storage, the storage experts! We have storage units that are secure for all your collectibles and anything else you need to store. Our units are also clean and secure, with on-site managers and 24/7 security cameras. If you have any questions, you can always chat online with a friendly manager.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning to purchase an Old Pawn trinket, we recommend working with a trusted seller. Buyers beware – investment pieces are not only widely available, but also easy to craft. Interested in other collectibles? Learn more about antiques with these blogs:
What is a Navajo Pearl?
The beautiful style of jewelry called Desert or Navajo Pearls are sterling silver beads traditionally made by Navajo (Diné) silversmiths. These handmade beads are commonly seen on Squash Blossom necklaces, but are also worn alone on single or multi-strand necklaces and in bracelets.
Pearl Squash Blossom
The Navajo are the largest Native American tribe, spanning New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Dating back to the 16th century or earlier, the Navajo made beads from whatever natural materials were available to them, including wood, stone, animal bones or teeth, and shells.
Over time, new materials such as silver and copper were introduced by Europeans, and Navajo artists began incorporating these materials into their creations. The Navajo commonly used beads to tell stories and pass them on from generation to generation.
Traditionally, Navajo beads are handcrafted one at a time, making each bead unique. Today, when these style beads are not made by Navajo artisans, they are referred to as desert beads. Artists express their own style through unique stamping and finishing of these beautiful and timeless creations.
Shop our collection of Navajo and desert beads below.
Can men wear squash blossom necklaces?
The famed Squash Blossom Necklace was originally an American Indian Necklace made for Navajo Bucks, the Navajo’s began making Silver Squash Blossom Necklaces in the 1880’s. It began as a Silver Necklace made for men to wear, the Squash Blossoms replicate the Palmegranate, this was a symbol of wealth to the Navajo men.
Pearl Squash Blossom
We created this page as a resource for information about Native American necklaces. Below are photos of Native American necklaces along with a description of what you see in the photo. You will learn about the different types of necklaces that are available as well as the types of necklaces that are available at the Durango Silver Company online store.
The above photo shows a very early Navajo silver chain which, when worn, was a status symbol of the wearer’s wealth and importance. You can see more photos and description of this piece by clicking on the photo of this important Navajo Native American Necklace of the past.
We invite you to check out the Native American Necklaces we have in stock now!
Native American Necklaces
Here you can find different styles of Native American Necklaces, see the photos and read the related factual information.
Above and left is a beautiful modern take on a centuries-old Navajo squash blossom necklace minus the squashes. The famous Squash Blossom Necklace was originally a Native American necklace made for Navajo Bucks. The Navajos began making silver squash blossom necklaces in the 1880s. It began as a silver necklace made for men, the squash blossoms replicate the palm apple, which was a symbol of wealth for Navajo men. The Squash Blossom was the second generation of a Navajo Mens Necklace, years later the Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklaces were worn by the Navajo Squaws.
This particular Native American necklace in the photo is similar to the Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace but does not have the gourds as in the two Squash Blossom Necklaces below. This is a modern version that has become popular in recent years. This is one of many modern Native American necklaces we’ve had that are similar to the original Squash Blossom necklace. This necklace is a beautiful rich green Carico Lake turquoise and was made by Darrell Cadman, a Navajo artisan. You can read more about this beautiful Native American necklace on the presentation page by clicking on the highlighted link in the paragraph above. Note; There are links to more information on other Native American Necklaces highlighted in the sections below, check them out.
On the right is a Native American necklace with Navajo turquoise stripes. This beautiful blue fox turquoise silver necklace was handcrafted by Verdy Jake, a Navajo artisan who calls this a Cleopatra necklace. This Navajo necklace features 25 beautiful antique blue fox turquoise gemstones handcut by Dillon Hartman of the Durango Silver Company. Dillon cut the turquoise stones and then had Verdy Jake make the Cleopatra necklace for the Durango Silver Company. The fox turquoise cabochons were cut from an old batch of blue fox turquoise nuggets that were mined in the 1960’s. Each cabochon is one half of a natural fox turquoise nugget. Navajo Indian necklaces like this one are often found in our silver gallery at DurangoSilver.com.
High quality Native American necklaces
Above and left is a unique quality Native American damale turquoise necklace, handmade by Verde Jake, Navajo. This is a very unique contemporary style Navajo turquoise and silver necklace. This is a complete set, necklace, earrings and ring, all matching in Damale Turquoise and 925 Silver. Truly one of Verdi Jake’s unique Native American necklaces to be proud of.
At right is an ancient Navajo squash blossom necklace in a Navajo cluster design. There are over 240 blue turquoise stones. This was a labor intensive piece of Native American jewelry and definitely a treasure for the person who owned it. This Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace was purchased as Pawn Turquoise Jewelry from the Shonto Trading Post in the 1970’s, so was older at the time. It was most likely made in the 1960’s and has a maker’s mark of IH on the back of the Naja. Many Native American necklaces were made, but not many like this one. The Durango Silver Company always tries to have unusual and unique pieces for you to view and/or purchase.
Above left is a beautiful and ornate image inlaid Native American pendant handmade by Edison Yazzie, Navajo Artisan. This is an artistically designed and fantastic silver inlaid pendant, handcrafted by a skilled Navajo artisan. The design features a native woman wearing a turquoise necklace in Canyon Country. This Native American pendant is inlaid with turquoise, jasper, black jade, tiger eye and spiny oyster shell. This is a magnificent piece of Native American jewelry that is truly handcrafted by Edison Yazzie.
On the right is a Navajo-made Manassa turquoise sunburst teardrop pendant by Native American artist Albert Jack. This Colorado Turquoise Pendant focuses on a rare piece of natural Manassa Blue Turquoise from Manassa, Colorado, USA. The stone is set in a bezel and surrounded by a rope (twisted wire) design and a handstamped sunburst silver design. The Manassa Turquoise Mine has produced very little Turquoise in the last 20 years making this Turquoise very rare.
Above left is a turquoise inlaid Native American necklace and earring set, handcrafted by Native American artist Julius Burbank. This set was set with beautiful aged turquoise with cobwebs, the turquoise drop earrings consisted of two parts, a diamond shaped turquoise stud at the top which has the inlaid turquoise drop earring hanging from it. Each silver earring features seven inlaid turquoise cobweb stones with inlaid sterling silver spacers. A contemporary style, this turquoise Native American necklace consists of two separate pieces connected with hinges that join together to form one large turquoise pendant. Resembling the shape of a foot, each of the two sections of the inlaid turquoise pendant are inlaid with nine geometric shaped spider web turquoise stones separated by inlaid sterling silver spacers. The inlay in these pieces is unique as the stones are cut in a cobblestone style, raised in the center and rounded on the edges of each individual stone. The Durango Silver Company tries to always have beautiful Native American Necklaces on hand like this one, come check us out!
At right is a Native American Necklace, a handcrafted oval blue cobweb turquoise pendant by William Johnson. This Navajo made spider web turquoise pendant features a large Tibetan turquoise gemstone that has a black spider web matrix running through the stone, it is beautiful. The stone is surrounded by beautiful heavily worked silver work as you can see in the photo, it is classy and sets the stone off beautifully. This is a great turquoise pendant with quality workmanship and a classic design. It is a substantial silver weight and is a solid piece of Native American jewelry.
On the left is a Fancy Cluster Seven Stone Bisbee Turquoise Pendant by Vernon Begay. This large handcrafted Navajo pendant features a large natural Bisbee Turquoise stone surrounded by six Bisbee Turquoise stones in a cluster design. Although this bisbee turquoise pendant is unique in itself, the grouped stone arrangement is a classic style of Native American jewelry that Navajo silversmiths have been making for over 100 years. This is a very attractive style of Native American jewelry when worn and with the bisbee turquoise it is a rare collector’s item – absolutely stunning! Bisbee Turquoise is known to be the best turquoise ever to emerge from America, it is found in a mineral rich area and the minerals in which it is found are known to be metaphysical by healers worldwide. Bisbee Turquoise is known among healers as the most important turquoise for its healing properties.
Above and to the right is a Native American Zuni squash blossom necklace made between 1935 and 1950. This Native American necklace is an exceptional piece of Native American jewelry that is an example of high quality early Zuni craftsmanship. This necklace contains a fantastic naja that is unique only to that particular turquoise necklace. The rocks appear to be old Arizona Blue Turquoise from the Mineral Park Mine, now believed to be the Kingman Turquoise Mine. All stones have been individually cut to perfection and the overall design of this piece is superb! The Squash Blossom design comes from the Palmegranate, this design has been popular for over 100 years and many different styles of Native American Squash Blossom Necklaces have been made since then. This necklace was made from sterling silver as commercial silver sheet and wire were available at the time. In the years prior to 1930, many of the Native American necklaces, as well as other types of Native American jewelry, were made by melting down silver coins to create their jewelry.
See also – Native American Bracelets, Native American Earrings, Origins of Navajo Jewelry, Native American Rings and Native American Jewelry
We hope you enjoyed our presentation on Native American necklaces and gleaned some useful insights from it. We invite you to learn more about Native American Bracelets, Native American Earrings, Native American Rings and Native American Jewelry by following the links above. We invite you to visit our Learning Center as it contains a wealth of informational pages that we have written on various topics related to Native American necklaces. In addition, we would like to invite you to sign up for our email newsletter – approximately every two months we send out a newsletter to update our members on news from the Durango Silver Company, new products, special offers for our members and more. We also have a monthly raffle from our member base to give away free turquoise jewelry from our company. Please take a moment to become one of our friends by signing up below.
We have the largest direct source of information for dealers in Native American Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Turquoise Jewelry and Native American Necklaces. We hope you will think of the Durango Silver Company the next time you think about Native American Necklaces, as well as for all of your information needs.
Where did the squash blossom necklace originate?
The Naja symbol – the impressive centerpiece of the squash blossom design – is said to have originated in the Middle East, where the Moors brought horse shoe shaped jewelry with them as a ward against the evil eye into Spain. From here, the Spanish conquistadors brought the symbol to the Navajo, who adopted it.
Pearl Squash Blossom
The Pumpkin Blossom Necklace
origins and history
Rarely has a single style of jewelry captured so much of the vibrancy and history of the Southwest (and the hearts of its wearers) as the beloved squash blossom necklace.
The origins of this unique Southwestern style are as fascinating and diverse as the Southwest itself and can be traced to the blending of cultures in the region in the 1860s and 1870s. Navajo craftsmen learned silversmithing from Hispanic artists in New Mexico as well as from Plains Indian craftsmen. The creativity and innovation of these early Navajo silversmiths soon lend themselves to many shapes and styles of jewelry – one of which was the squash blossom necklace.
Originally, artists melted Mexican pesos, US dollars, and any other type of silver they could find to create their artwork. Turquoise was also a common addition to these pieces in the 1890s. As the style spread to many tribes in the area in the late 19th century, Zuni artisans added their unique flair: the familiar turquoise inlaid patterns we see today.
shape and properties
Although squash blossom necklaces today have many variations, limited only by their designers’ imaginations, the pieces each follow the same basic shape: an inverted crescent or well, center piece surrounded by an average of 6 smaller flower pieces on each side.
Aside from this basic design, innovative artisans are known for incorporating a variety of styles, stones, and sizes into each piece. Tribal variations are also common: Zuni and Hopi artisans tend to substitute different designs, making the squash blossom itself all but unrecognizable.
meaning and tradition
The Naja symbol – the awe-inspiring centerpiece of the squash blossom design – is said to have its origins in the Middle East, where the Moors brought horseshoe-shaped jewelry to Spain as protection against the evil eye. From here, the Spanish conquistadors brought the symbol to the Navajo, who adopted it.
And as a food and as a symbol, the importance of the pumpkin to Southwest Native Americans cannot be underestimated. As such, squash is also a clan symbol in some Native American cultures, such as the squash clans of the Navajo (whose squash clan is named Naayízí Dine’é) and the Hopi (whose squash clan is named Paatangngyam), the Calabasah clans of the Pueblo tribes and the Kiowa and Osage gourd clans.
Own a Squash Blossom Necklace today
Squash blossom necklaces are simultaneously an investment in the fine arts, a piece of American history, and a talisman of meaning and purpose. For many Native American jewelry collectors, a Southwestern wardrobe is incomplete without a squash blossom necklace. While extremely beautiful, their beauty transcends simple aesthetics to convey something of the sophisticated splendor and history of the Southwest itself.
Browse our selection of amazing squash blossom pieces now – from some of the most renowned and talented Native American artists working today.
Sources:
Native American Health and Nutrition Project: https://aihd.ku.edu/foods/squash.html
The Art Institute of Chicago: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/207968/squash-blossom-necklace
Shop our PUMPKIN BLOSSOM COLLECTION, BLOSSOM EARRINGS, NAJA JEWELRY AND MORE here: SHOP NOW
What does Naja mean in Navajo?
Naja Symbol Meaning
The word “naja” is the Navajo word for “crescent”. Navajo Indian silversmiths began incorporating the naja design into their jewelry. The Navajo were the main Indian tribe that made the najas, but they were also made by some Pueblo tribes as well.
Pearl Squash Blossom
The naja is a crescent-shaped piece often worn alone as a pendant or as the centerpiece of a gourd blossom necklace in Southwest Indian jewelry. The naja design form is believed to have originated with the Moors and then was borrowed from the Spanish, used as ornamental patterns on horse’s bridle headpieces and as silver ornaments on men’s trousers.
The word “naja” is the Navajo word for “crescent moon”. Navajo silversmiths began incorporating the Naja design into their jewelry. The Navajo were the main Native American tribe that made the najas, but they were also made by some Pueblo tribes.
Well story
The early najas were cast or hammered pendants simply decorated with chiseled or stamped designs. The naja would have an eyelet, loop or hook to attach it to a necklace. Some Naja pendants were designed with a pin clasp on the back so that the pendant could be detached from a necklace and worn on clothing as a pin or brooch. The crescent-shaped naja was mainly added as a center piece of a necklace in the so-called gourd blossom necklace.
The Naja design varies according to the creative taste of the silversmith. Above the crescent can be double or triple bars. There may even be hand shapes at the lower ends of the crescent, believed to be of Moorish origin, representing the “Hands of Fatima”. Some najas have a central decorative piece or stone that is often hung to dangle freely. The setting of stones in the naja pendant began sometime after 1880. Later, with lapidary techniques developing, more stones were made on the naja and squash blossom necklace. The Pumpkin Blossom and Naja began to have lapidary styles of inlaid work, cluster work and needlepoint stonework.
Southwest Silver Gallery Well Pieces
The Naja pendant design is still made today by contemporary South West Indian artists.
Handcrafted silver Naja pendant with hand stamped and repousse designs. by Navajo artist Derrick Gordon. The Naja has a graceful design with a silver pendant in the middle.
How can you tell if Native American jewelry is real?
A genuine piece will have no wavering lines or lopsided designs, well-cut stones that are uniform in size, and no visible glue between the metal and stone. Also be on the lookout for sterling silver versus silver-plated jewelry. A quick way to tell the difference is to hold a small magnet to the piece.
Pearl Squash Blossom
However, if you are looking for a piece of authentic Native American jewelry to add to your art collection, the criteria to consider go beyond simple taste and aesthetics. Unfortunately, there are some sellers who will attempt to present imitations as genuine works of Native American art. But luckily we have some tips to help you tell the difference!
View seller’s entire inventory.
Authentic Native American jewelry is handcrafted by individual artisans, which means no two pieces are alike. Do a little research on your potential seller’s entire inventory. If you see the same pieces over and over again, especially with the same hallmark (the signature of a single silversmith), you should take that as a red flag.
Check the quality of the materials.
Native American artists use only high quality stones and metals in their jewelry. Sometimes spotting a fake is as simple as a close look at the craftsmanship. A genuine piece will have no stray lines or crooked designs, well-cut stones that are a consistent size, and no visible glue between the metal and stone.
Also, be mindful of sterling silver jewelry versus silver plated jewelry. A quick way to tell the difference is to hold a small magnet to the piece. If it’s real sterling silver, the magnet won’t pull on it. Silver-plated parts contain nickel, which becomes magnetized.
Ask for specific information about the artist.
Especially when a piece of Native American jewelry is new and not an artifact, the seller should know and be able to tell you its exact provenance. That means identifying the artist’s tribe and possibly their clan ties as well (if you’re buying direct from an artist). In addition, you should always ask for a written confirmation of authenticity when buying genuine Native American jewelry.
At Faust Gallery we pride ourselves on our collection of authentic Native American jewelry – much of which is handcrafted by artisans with whom we have a personal relationship. With over 30 years of experience buying, selling and appraising Native American art, we can guarantee the authenticity of every Native American-made piece we offer for sale.
Visit our website to browse our historical and contemporary collections!
Is it OK to wear Native American jewelry?
In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer. And if there’s something that you really shouldn’t be wearing — i.e. a headdress with special religious or tribal significance — the artist you’re buying from will likely let you know.
Pearl Squash Blossom
Urban Outfitters last week settled a five-year legal battle with the Navajo Nation that arose after the American brand released a line of products that borrowed the Navajo name and aesthetic without their permission (and without compensating them). While both parties seem happy with the new settlement, the lesson the suit sends out is loud and clear: Appropriating Aboriginal fashion is not to be taken lightly.
So what if you love the jewelry or clothing made and worn by indigenous peoples, but that’s not your heritage?
Luckily, many local artists don’t mind non-locals wearing their designs or borrowing from their aesthetic. They just want to be paid fairly and recognized for their cultural contribution. In short, wearing aboriginal patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought it from a real aboriginal designer. And if there’s something you really shouldn’t wear – e.g. a headdress with particular religious or tribal meaning – the artist you are buying from will likely let you know.
Art fairs, like this weekend’s Native Art Market at the National Museum of the American Indian, are a perfect place to find authentic Native American designs and meet the artists behind them. The market, which takes place on December 3rd and 4th from 10am to 5pm, features 35 artists offering everything from Alaskan furs to wampum jewelry.
As tensions continue to mount over the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, there has never been a better time to show your support for native designers. So if you’re in New York, head to Tribeca today and check out the Native Art Market – and if you can’t make it to see the full selection in person, browse some of our favorite vendors online here.
Aaron Brokeshoulder (absent Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma) – sterling silver jewelry
Do you have A. Brokeshoulder
Denise Wallace (Chugach Alutiiq) – Storytelling Jewels from Alaska
Denise Wallace
Dorothy Grant (Haida) – Designer clothing and leather bags
Dorothy Grant
Jimmie Harrison (Diné) – inlaid jewellery
Sedona Indian Jewelry
Kristen Dorsey (Chickasaw Nation) – Gold and silver jewelry
Kristen Dorsey designs
Lyle Secatero (Diné) – Traditional sterling silver jewelry
Lyle Secatero
Matagi Sorensen (Yavapai Apache Nation) – Sculptural silver jewelry
Matagi art
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Why is it called squash blossom?
Squash blossom beads are named (“the beads that spread out”) for their likeness to an actual squash or pomegranate blossoms, although sometimes the design does not actually incorporate the ‘beads that spread out’. Early on, the beads used were rounded and simple.
Pearl Squash Blossom
The squash blossom necklace is often thought to be rooted in the jewelery traditions of the southwestern Diné people, inherited from the Zuni and Hopi, and is also traditionally found in work by the Plains tribes. The Navajo are believed to be the first tribe to begin using the Squash Blossom design around the 1870s. By the turn of the 20th century, several other surrounding tribes had also adopted the design. This timeline means that the Squash Blossom may be the first piece of jewelry designed by Native Americans to also have European influence.
The elements of the Squash Blossom Necklace derive from ancient cultures but come together in a uniquely Navajo tradition. In the American Southwest, Spanish and Moorish influences introduced the naja form, which can be traced back through several cultures to the Paleolithic period. The word Naja in the native Navajo language means “crescent shape” or “curve.” The naja shape was used to decorate the horse’s reins by the Spanish, and over time was adopted as the centerpiece for the pumpkin blossom necklace. Squash blossom beads are named for their resemblance to actual pumpkin or pomegranate blossoms (“the beads that spread”), although sometimes the design doesn’t actually include the “beads that spread.”
In the past, the beads used were round and simple. Sometimes dimes and quarters were used. Today you can find highly collectible pieces made from handmade, hand-twisted beads, fluted beads, and intricately designed cast beads. There are craftsmen working in styles reminiscent of the early styles using traditional cluster work, vintage coins and sterling silver beads, while contemporary styles incorporate naja, stone and metal to create striking modern traditional pieces.
Squash Blossom sets and necklaces are now made not only in sterling silver, but also in gold and mixed metals, as well as a variety of stones including high-quality blue or green turquoise, gaspeit, red coral, white buffalo, spiny oyster, and other well-known favorites .
Perhaps the most appealing quality of the squash blossom design is the strength it exudes on the wearer. There is a sense of individuality and boldness associated with each squash blossom. Sunwest has several squash blossom designs available to ensure we can offer you the squash blossom necklace that perfectly suits your personality. To view our squash blossom inventory, click here. If you cannot find the design you are looking for on our website, please visit our retail location in Albuquerque to find other variations.
Lucky Brand – Mother-of-Pearl Squash Blossom Pendant Necklace SKU:8970178
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Pearl Squash Blossom – Etsy
1972 Native American Squash Blossom Necklace, CA Shorty Vintage Necklace, Sterling Silver Mother of Pearl Statement Necklace UJK3JRRT.
Source: www.etsy.com
Date Published: 10/25/2021
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Then and Now:Squash Blossom Special
The distinguishing feature of the pumpkin blossom necklace is the crescent-shaped pendant in the middle, the so-called Naja. While this crescent-shaped symbol is believed to have originated in the ancient Near East as a talisman worn to ward off evil, it was the Spanish who brought it to what is now the American Southwest. In the late 1500s and early 1600s, these pendants were worn as iron adornments on the leather horse bridles of the Spanish conquistadors. These ornaments were traded or acquired from captured horses and soon adorned the necks of the local native population. When silver beads became fashionable in the late 19th century, the Navajo (Diné) people began to present naja pendants on necklaces with small silver beads.
Squash blossom images are found in petroglyphs that predated the arrival of Europeans in the Southwest, but these images only appeared in necklace form after the region’s indigenous people had come into contact with the Spanish. The squash blossom as a design concept originated with the Navajo. They were the first tribe in the Southwest to utilize the design of the edible gourd, an important food source. By the early 1900s, the symbol had traveled to the Zuni Pueblo and others along the Rio Grande.
The necklace’s name comes from the three-petalled bead, the “blossom,” developed by Navajo silversmiths, who called them yo ne maze disya gi, or “spreading bead.” But the classic squash blossom necklace is actually made up of three distinct components: the plain, unadorned round beads, the round beads adorned with blooming petals, and the naja centerpiece.
The History Behind … The Squash Blossom Necklace
Some say the Navajo created the squash blossom after seeing the pomegranate design commonly used by the Spanish as decorations, including on the buttons of soldiers’ uniforms. (In parts of Spain, the pomegranate is a revered fruit; notably, it is the heraldic symbol of the city of Granada, which is also the Spanish word for the fruit, known in English as pomegranate.)
Others, however, believe the squash blossom is exactly as advertised — a design taken from the floral part of the squash plant, which along with corn and beans are the crops relied on by Native Americans in the Southwest.
“These are native plants that they would recognize the importance of, and I believe most native works have meaning, at least originally,” Dubin said.
Does the number of simple round beads between the squash blossom beads mean anything?
No, Dubin said it was arbitrary: “There’s nothing other than the artist’s desire to make it more or less elaborate.”
Apart from the beads, the necklace has another part, the Naja. can you tell us a little bit about it
“Naja” is the name the Navajo gave to a symbol believed to have originated in the ancient Middle East. Like many other symbols, it was created as a talisman for protection, with the Moors attaching it to the reins of their horses to ward off the evil eye.
It became the centerpiece of the squash blossom necklace in two ways, Dubin said.
Either the Navajo saw it in the Spanish Mexicans, or it came to the Southwest through the Plains people, the Shawnee, or the Delaware. “That’s unclear, too,” she said. “But the point is that the form itself has ancient origins.”
In early examples of squash blossom necklaces, the najas were all silver, but later Native Americans added turquoise and even coral as the design evolved over time, Joe Tanner said.
He added that the naja is also representative of the womb, and when a gourd blossom necklace features a single turquoise nugget hanging from the naja, it is often interpreted as symbolizing a child in the womb.
Were squash blossom necklaces worn for a specific purpose?
Although the necklaces have no specific ceremonial purpose, they were worn as a symbol of status, wealth, and cultural affiliation.
And the bigger the better, Dubin said: “You wore your wealth in those cultures — you wore your silver, you wore your turquoise.”
The jewelry the natives made for themselves was large and bold, using large chunks of turquoise and heavy silver (see Della Casa Appa’s giant squash blossom necklace above), although artists tended to downsize when making jewelry for tourists and non-natives.
As previously mentioned, squash blossom necklaces were primarily made in silver and turquoise. Is that because these were the materials readily available to Native Americans, with the silver coming from Mexico?
Dubin actually said Native Americans originally used the American silver dollar for their necklaces by bulging two coins and then soldering them together. After the government decided that coins should not be used as a material for jewelry, they began using sheet silver.
Tanner said the early squash blossom necklaces used “First Phase” style silverwork and had a more rustic appearance.
“But (it was) still way ahead of its time,” he noted. “Native American artists of this period made jewelry by hand before they had all the tools that contemporary artists have today.”
In terms of gems, turquoise was and is a very sacred stone in the Southwest. That’s mostly because it’s a local stone, sourced from “mother earth,” Dubin said, and while it’s from places with an arid landscape, it’s blue, like water and the sky that brings water .
“It’s just the beloved stone of the local people, a sacred stone,” she said. “You’re not a Navajo, you’re not a Southwesterner without your turquoise.”
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Joe Tanner added that while some gemologists and designers value the clean, clear robin egg turquoise from mines like Sleeping Beauty over stones with a heavier matrix, this is not the case with Native American designers.
“The ancient medicine priests in the Southwest say if it doesn’t have the matrix and spider web then it doesn’t have the added strength that (they believe) those patterns give to the gem,” he said.
While turquoise was the primary gemstone used, squash blossom necklaces can be found with other gemstones including coral and mother of pearl.
When was this style at the peak of its popularity?
According to Dubin, the squash blossom necklace peaked in the early 1970s, when the bohemian fashion trends of the time created a turquoise craze.
“There was a veritable turquoise buying spree in the Southwest in the ’70s, and what got carried away were squash blossom necklaces heavily inlaid with turquoise,” she said. “And then it eased off a bit.”
But the style never quite went away, and while it’s not a premier art form today, it’s considered traditional, and many modern Native American designers still pay homage to the style.
Joe Tanner said he sees a demand for squash blossom necklaces from a younger generation.
“Part of the reason it’s so popular in the current retail market is that millennial shoppers like their jewelry to look handcrafted,” he said. “They tend to go into these first-phase style looks so that it appears as if it’s handcrafted, even in cases where it’s not.”
Pearl Squash Blossom
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