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Vintage Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace, Signed CRB, Marked NAVAJO, 123.9 Grams, Handmade Benchwork, most likely from the 70\'s.
This stunning Navajo silver and turquoise squash blossom necklace is a traditional piece of Native American jewelry, probably from the late 60\'s or 70\'s. Handmade in the United States, this intricately crafted necklace showcases the beauty and craftsmanship of Navajo artistry from the detailed Naja with Navaho on one side of back and artist CRB on the other. The use of sterling silver and turquoise adds a touch of elegance and cultural significance to the piece, making it a unique and collectible item for those interested in Native American cultures and ethnicities. Signed by the artist, CDB, this necklace is a beautiful representation of Native American tradition and heritage.
* the hand-cut overlay feathers,
* handmade blossom construction,
* traditional naja form,
* hand-applied oxidation,
* signed artisan hallmark rather than a tourist-shop trademark,
I believe this is authentic Navajo bench-made work.
Reasons:
* \"NAVAJO\" nationality stamps became extremely common during this period.
* The oxidized recessed backgrounds and bright polished overlays fit late 20th-century Navajo production.
Turquoise
The stones appear genuine turquoise rather than dyed howlite or plastic.
What I see:
* natural color variation
WEIGHT: 123.9 grams:
* approximately 3.98 troy ounces total weight
LENGTH: Between 22-24 inches
Many modern tourist-grade examples weigh under 90 grams.
The backs of the blossoms are not just hand-cut. They are remarkably consistent while still clearly handmade:
* Hand-cut backplates.
* Applied blossom stems individually soldered.
* Traditional wire-through construction.
* Old-style handmade hook clasp.
* Heavy-gauge double-wire naja.
* Individually assembled silver beads with visible seams.
Several stones display:
* natural matrix,
* uneven coloration,
* higher-grade polish,
* non-uniform cutting.
The center stone in the naja and several side stones appear to be genuine natural turquoise rather than stabilized commercial turquoise.
* Handmade hook clasp.
* Traditional bead construction.
* Fabricated rather than cast components.
* Separate NAVAJO nationality stamp.
* Oxidized finish popular during that era.
* Genuine hand-tooling throughout.
The lettering style itself appears hand stamped rather than machine engraved.
That generally supports a small-shop Navajo silversmith rather than a large wholesale manufacturer.
The feather overlays are exceptionally uniform across every blossom and the naja center. That level of consistency suggests a silversmith who made this pattern repeatedly and was well-practiced at it. This does not look like a beginner\'s piece.
