Vintage Turquoise Pendant Necklace Value Guide

Period
1960-1975
Origin
United States
Materials
Silver-tone metal, Turquoise glass or stabilized turquoise

This vintage turquoise pendant necklace captures the mid-20th century's fascination with Southwestern and Middle Eastern aesthetics. Featuring a central cabochon set within an intricate scalloped filigree frame, it represents the 1960s-1970s resurgence of bohemian costume jewelry in the United States.

What affects the value of Vintage Turquoise Pendant Necklace?

  • The condition of the silver-tone plating, specifically looking for signs of 'pitting' or wear on the filigree edges.
  • The vibrancy and lack of cracks in the turquoise cabochon, whether it is glass or stabilized stone.
  • The presence of original chain components versus modern replacements which can lower the collectible value.
  • The intricacy of the filigree work, with more complex wire patterns typically commanding the higher end of the $25-$35 price range.

How to Identify Vintage Turquoise Pendant Necklace?

  • Examine the metalwork for the characteristic 1960s-70s open-back filigree design featuring intertwined silver-tone wires.
  • Inspect the central stone to determine if it is a polished turquoise glass cabochon or stabilized turquoise common to the era.
  • Check the clasp style, as these pieces typically feature a spring ring or simple hook closure consistent with mid-century mass production.
  • Look for the distinct scalloped edge detailing that forms the ornate frame around the central turquoise setting.

History of Vintage Turquoise Pendant Necklace

This style of jewelry became highly popular during the mid-20th century, often inspired by Southwestern and Middle Eastern motifs. Filigree work, the art of intertwining fine metal wires, has been used for millennia but saw a commercial resurgence in costume jewelry during the 1960s and 1970s as bohomian styles gained mainstream traction.

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