Another great American treasure has found me. It’s a rather unusual turquoise and coral squash blossom necklace. Someone I know has been asked to consign it, so she’s not sure yet if she’s going to purchase it for herself or sell it. She was told it was from the 1950s and that it’s Mediterranean coral. It’s a very interesting design, however there’s no hallmark to clue in on the artist. I’d really appreciate any input the Turquoise Peeps might be able to shed on it (ie: if the coral is white dyed or natural, what decade it appears to be from, whether it looks restrung, type of turquoise, possible artist). Thank you all so much. You are the best!
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I’ve got one word: WOW! More words: the colors just leap out at you. Unusual construction the way the lower beads are looped onto the main string with a circle loop, and the beads are looser-strung than most need necklaces I’ve seen. Looks like real coral (and turqoise), and how neat to have all these pieces that match so well. Love the color contrast!
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Beautiful. I like how some natural aspects of the coral are present.
A couple pieces of the coral seem to have lighter areas. Is this a reflection or not?
@fernwood It is not a reflection. The coral piece on the pendant has a lighter area on the top bend. That’s why I was wondering if it was natural that way or possibly dyed white coral.
@Xtina I see what you are referring to. I was wondering if it may have been restrung. It almost looks like one of those squash blossom restringing kits. I was told that because the clasp was soldered they didn’t think it was restrung. ???
since “inspector 43” wasn’t around then,that’s one way to assume it’s natural-real stuff has “flaws”.
water on a Q-tip or paper towel can reveal dye,btw.
if there’s any way you can snag this…do so!
lol
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@newpawn Thank you for the tip with water and Qtip. That’s a quick technique for some piece of mind. Appreciate that!
@Jason Would you have any idea on what a necklace like this might go for? They’ve decided to sell and are working to come up with a possible price. I want to brace myself for what they might throw out there. Lol Thanks!
UPDATE: the owner has decided to sell! I Qtip tested the coral and nothing came off colorwise. But on further inspection, I noticed that the branch coral has two tips that are broken off. Does that impact the overall value/price of this piece? I’d appreciate any of your thoughts on this as I will be negotiating on it soon. Thanks everyone!
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It is hard to get a good feel from the picture, some of the coral is discolored, the spacing for the beads (usually see three rows or two large beads so you don’t have that big space), no artist hallmark, and the design of the naja is a little different. $1200ish.
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Thank you @Jason , I appreciate your input!
The seller did a little digging on their end as well. They were told it appeared to be 1950s, that the turquoise had quartz in it (so possibly Nevada mine), that it could be original chain (just stretched from age), and that natural coral can have cream colored areas. Do you feel any of their facts hold true?
I believe when Jason was referring to the spacing of the beads, i think he meant the distance between the rows of beads behind each of the squash “stations.” they usually are stung so the two strands are right next to each, yours almost looks like there should have been a 3rd strand of beads between the two we see. I agree with jason, the use of a plate silver sheet rather than carinated wire or cast silver for the naja is unusual, especially with just the one wire edge treatment on the plate. it’s almost minimalist looking, in an unfinished way, but with the over-the-top use of branch coral, it’s an interesting contrast. i personally would think more 60s-70s, just based on the construction, but that’s my non-professional opinion.
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aw,if you don’t want that raggedy old broken thang…I DO!!
lmao…
offer 50cents less 
I would call it possibly Morenci which is Arizona, and don’t think that the piece is 1950s. However, I don’t know anything of this necklace except from the image and might not have the insight of current owner.
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Thank you @Jemez2 for clarification, that helped and @Jason for your additional response. There are so many unanswered questions with this piece. I showed it to half a dozen NA jewelry sellers at a flea market this weekend (I’m in the Midwest) and they all priced it less than the asking price. Their figures were more in line with what Jason said and a tad higher. A few didn’t think it was Navajo. I’m completely torn on what to do. It’s so unusual…you don’t see branch coral on them every day…but at the same time it doesn’t make sense to pay double or triple what something might be worth. I like your enthusiasm @newpawn ! You keep me hanging in there. I have to make a decision by tomorrow. Ugh!!!
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i was looking at the back of the naja a little closer, and it’s really kinda on the janky side of construction. the “cleats” that the beads are strung through are seriously lopsided on the naja, and for that much money to spend on a piece i would be very worried it wouldn’t hang properly when worn.
What is it worth to you? Agree that you don’t want to pay too much but if it’s negligible and you adore it, then it’s worth fighting for. Offer less, a good bit less than what you’d pay, and work up from that carefully.
If you don’t think this is the real deal, don’t pay too much. I think it’s striking but if there are signs it’s not what it seems, take that into consideration.
Agree with @Jemez2 that if there are signs there’s something off here, it’s the naja. It looks a little one-piece.
@Jemez2 I see what you’re saying. You’re right, it did hang a little off. I guess I kind of dismissed it at the time because it was a longer necklace (with more slack). It puzzles me why they would use such nice stones and coral then slap them together on something half baked.
@Xtina I tried to negotiate a better price, but they didn’t budge much. There is another buyer who is interested in line after me. That and the consigner has people in Sedona telling them how much they would put it in their store for.
FWIW a mentor of mine once shared great advice: If I have to try too hard to understand a piece because it’s just irregular enough, for whatever reason–back away and let it go. Don’t work too hard to make it “fit.” I think about this often when I find a near-good piece but it bugs me in some respect.
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