Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Turquoise Bird Bead Necklace 4.1g

We have similar Beaded and Navajo items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Item Description by: Angela A. Age Circa: Antique Native Navajo C.

Markings: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation. Gram Weight: 4.1 grams.

Length: 3.05 mm & 3.35 mm. Width: 2.46 mm & 2.49 mm. Color: semi-translucent deep aqua-blue hue.

Stone Treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester. Stone Cuts: Carved and polished beads. Bead width: 1.27 mm to 2.45 mm.

Pendant measurements : 1.13" length, 0.68" width. Link Type: Sterling silver and turquoise beads on wire. Handmade during the 1950s by a talented Navajo silversmith.

The necklace consists of a strand of string upon which turquoise and sterling silver bench beads were strung. The turquoise was expertly carved into long, tubular shapes and strung on the wire. Many hand-made round and elongated bench beads were also strung on this chain. These beads were composed entirely by hand and formed from two halves.

The center of the necklace holds a sterling silver pendant with the likeness of a bird. When worn, the pendant rests against just at the collarbone on most people. There is tarnish on the sterling silver in some areas, giving the piece a lovely antique quality. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

This listing is for the item only. This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith.

It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find. This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today. The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings.

Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health. The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani, in turn, taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans. In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation.

The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s. When a loan wasnt repaid, the item became known as either Old Pawn or Dead Pawn.

Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing. The item "Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Turquoise Bird Bead Necklace 4.1g" is in sale since Saturday, April 10, 2021. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Department: Womens
Brand: Unbranded
Metal: Sterling Silver
Metal Purity: .925
Main Stone: Turquoise
Material: String
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Jewelry Type: Necklaces
Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Ethnic Origin: Navajo
Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American