Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace Value Guide

This Navajo Squash Blossom necklace is a quintessential example of mid-20th-century Native American artistry, featuring a central naja pendant and stylized pomegranate beads. Its historical significance lies in the fusion of Moorish-Spanish design elements with traditional Navajo silversmithing techniques developed in the late 19th century.

What affects the value of Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace?

• The quality and color consistency of the blue turquoise stones significantly impact the $3,200-$3,500 valuation.
• Overall weight and gauge of the sterling silver, as heavier, hand-wrought pieces command higher market prices.
• The craftsmanship and symmetry of the central naja pendant and the uniformity of the silver beads.
• Provenance and physical condition, specifically the absence of cracked stones or repaired silver solder joints.

How to Identify Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace?

• Examine the naja pendant for traditional sand-cast or hand-wrought silver construction typical of the 1960-1975 era.
• Verify the presence of genuine blue turquoise stones with natural matrix patterns set in hand-cut silver bezels.
• Look for the characteristic 'squash blossom' beads, which are actually stylized pomegranate shapes inspired by Spanish colonial influence.
• Check for a lack of modern hallmarks or the presence of specific artisan stamps consistent with Southwestern silversmithing from this period.

History of Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

The squash blossom necklace is a hallmark of Navajo silversmithing that emerged in the late 19th century. It incorporates the naja pendant, an ancient Moorish design brought to the Americas by the Spanish, paired with silver beads and stylized pomegranate blossoms that early Navajo smiths mistook for squash blossoms.