Hello everyone. I’m so happy to have found this group. I’ve been hoping to find information about this cross that was given me by my great aunt, who wore it for 70 years before she died. There is not much in terms of a hallmark. The only identifier I can find are the letters “H O A” scratched into one side. I’ve zoomed in on this as best I can in one of the photos. I’m sorry about the photo quality. I think they are making the stones look more blue than they are in real life.
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Nice turquoise and setting. I really like the chain which looks hand made. The only HOA I found was Highest Overall in skeet shooting and homeowners assoc. 
Could just be the owners initials scratched into it.
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What a beautiful cross/crucifix; I love how the two are melded together back to back. I would have guessed they’re the initials of the owner, but you would know that if they were your aunt’s initials. Did anyone own it before her?
I don’t believe I can guess whether this is Native American or not, but whatever the case it’s pretty cool.
How special that it belonged to your great aunt!
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It is beautiful old cross. It looks like the add-ons including the handmade chain are made by Native American. Because of its uniqueness, it makes me think it would of been given to a local shop or community to create. Possibly a collaboration Navajo, Zuni or whomever was there. Beautifully done.
O, that’s funny. Thanks. I never thought it might be the owners initials, but it would have been someone other than my aunt.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback so far. Toni said her husband bought it for her in the southwest, probably in the 1930s or 40s. She was the coolest person. As a teenager, her parents told her that they didn’t have the money to send her to school like her older sisters (because of the depression), so she became a barnstormer, flying airplanes in shows, wingwalking, etc . . . For awhile she made a living “betting on the ponies”. She claimed that she wore the cross every day after her husband bought it for her. She gave it to me when I was ordained as a pastor, shortly before she died. It’s special to me and I’ve always wondered about its history.
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You can of think of a piece like this as something that was commissioned by the owner, or an artist that made this for a special friend. It is an interesting piece, like maybe an original pendant that was taken apart to make this because you have the silver finding and INRI inscription. Now, the turquoise tells us it is most likely a Zuni craftsman because of the shaped stones, beautiful piece. I wouldn’t have guessed this was from the 1950s.
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Thank you. That is helpful, Jason. To clarify, I believe it was purchased in the 1930s or 40s, but no idea if it was new or old or what at that time.
What an amazing story that comes along with a beautiful family heirloom necklace. Thank you for sharing both with us.
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Your aunt sounds like an amazing woman! People from her generation have often led such amazing lives. I have jewelry from mom, and I love being reminded of her every time I wear any of it.
I wondered if it was a crucifix someone already owned that they had commissioned and attached to the turquoise cross, because I have a similar little silver crucifix (only mine isn’t as cool and not old). Since crucifixes in general are Catholic (and this one has so much wear to it), that’s why I’m thinking it may have been two separate pieces not made at the same time.
The more I look at it, the more I love the whole piece.
Edit: I don’t know why I can never remember that shaped turquoise is more likely Zuni 
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This is so interesting. I never gave much thought to why they bought a crucifix. Toni was Norwegian Lutheran, but not particularly religious until her later years. Her husband did not believe in insurance, so instead bought artifacts. They had quite a collection.
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Hi @ajax_johnson. The style of the bezel (serrated with pinking shears, or a triangle file), and carved turquoise cabochons, looks 100% like work from Zuni Pueblo to me.
This type of carving, and serrated bezel was extensively used by Robert and Bernice Leekya, and adopted by a few others in the Pueblo. From the distinct style of the work which came into its own in the late 60s to early 70s, this is where I’d be inclined to date the origin of the work.
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I am not Catholic (I’m nondenominational), but my husband’s family is Catholic, and his uncle who is a priest gave me a beautiful little crucifix. The crucifix as a symbol still has much meaning to me even though I’m not officially Catholic, so maybe your aunt felt similarly.
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@mmrogers That is super helpful. Thank you. I’ll keep looking into this. I have a letter that Toni gave me to tell me about it before she died. I put it somewhere safe, so of course I can’t find it. I’ll have to dredge it up and see what she said.
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