We have similar Turquoise and Native American items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Turquoise" or "Native" under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Markings: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed
Main Stone: Turquoise
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Length: 5.04 mm to 6.82 mm
Width: 3.98 mm to 4.58 mm
Color: opaque bright blue hue with a deep gray matrix
Accent Stone: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --
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: Tumbled, polished beads
Item Measurements:
Wearable length: 16.25"
Bead width: 1 mm to 3 mm
Pendant measurements: 2.26" length, 1.05" width
Notable Features:
handmade in the 1960s by a talented Navajo silversmith
composed of .900 sterling silver, also known as coin silver
features a string strung with tumbled, polished turquoise beads, as well as liquid silver bead
a pendant with the motif of a dreamcatcher is also strung with a turquoise bead and a dangling feather accent
Damage: Age appropriate wear. Tarnish on the silver gives the necklace an antique quality we believe is rather lovely. The price has been reduced to reflect this.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
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.
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.
A dreamcatcher is a handmade willow hoop, with a woven net in various patterns sewn in the middle. The dreamcatcher sometimes also includes sacred items such as certain feathers, beads, or stones. Dreamcatchers were first seen among the Ojibwe people and through intermarriage and trade were gradually adopted by neighboring nations. During the Pan-Indian Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, dreamcatchers were adopted among many Native American nations. There is an old Ojibwe legend that says the dreamcatcher originates with Asibikaashi, also known as Spider Woman, who took care of the children and people on the land. With the migration, intermarriage, and trade of the Ojibwe Nation, it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. Without her immediate care, mothers and grandmothers of the Obijwe Nation began to weave magical webs for the children using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants.
Domestic US: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
USPS First Class
USPS Priority Mail
USPS Priority Express
International: All packages are sent via USPS and pricing is based on buyer location. We do not undervalue packages for customs, please do not ask us to do so. What you pay is what we will claim on your customs form. Please take this into consideration before placing your bid.
Several forms of payment accepted.
A dreamcatcher is a handmade willow hoop, with a woven net in various patterns sewn in the middle. The dreamcatcher sometimes also includes sacred items such as certain feathers, beads, or stones. Dreamcatchers were first seen among the Ojibwe people and through intermarriage and trade were gradually adopted by neighboring nations. During the Pan-Indian Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, dreamcatchers were adopted among many Native American nations. There is an old Ojibwe legend that says the dreamcatcher originates with Asibikaashi, also known as Spider Woman, who took care of the children and people on the land. With the migration, intermarriage, and trade of the Ojibwe Nation, it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. Without her immediate care, mothers and grandmothe
