Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant Value Guide

This Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant represents a mid-to-late 20th-century fusion of traditional silversmithing and spiritual symbolism. While the cross form has Christian roots, Navajo artisans often adapted the shape to represent the four sacred directions, making these sterling silver pieces highly sought-after examples of Southwestern heritage.

What Is Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant Worth?

The typical price range for Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant is $150 - $165 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The quality and origin of the turquoise cabochons, with rarer mine stones commanding higher prices within the $150-$165 range.
• The presence of a verifiable artisan hallmark or signature on the back of the pendant.
• Overall condition of the silver, including the absence of cracks in the stones or significant thinning of the bale.
• The intricacy of the silverwork, such as hand-stamped patterns or complex wire detailing around the cross.

How to Identify Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant?

• Look for multiple turquoise cabochons set in traditional sawtooth or plain bezels characteristic of 1970-1990 craftsmanship.
• Examine the reverse for 'Sterling' or '925' stamps, though some authentic period pieces may only bear an artisan's hallmark.
• Check for natural matrix patterns within the turquoise stones, which should be securely seated in hand-stamped silver settings.
• Verify the construction style, which typically features heavy-gauge silver and traditional Navajo decorative elements like raindrops or twisted wire.

History of Navajo Turquoise Cross Pendant

The Navajo people, renowned for their silversmithing skills, began incorporating turquoise into their jewelry in the mid-19th century. This fusion of indigenous craftsmanship and natural beauty quickly became a hallmark of Southwestern American jewelry. Cross pendants, while having roots in Christian symbolism, were adopted and stylized by Navajo artisans, often representing the four sacred directions and elements, and becoming powerful symbols of protection and well-being.