I inherited this necklace from my Uncle who says he bought it in New Mexico. I have looked around on the internet and don’t see a necklace with the same design blossoms. Each blossom has 16 turquoise pieces. Other blossoms I see are smaller. It is 28" long. It is on a sturdy wire. The back has no markers mark but there are some numbers scratched into the back of the naja. I’d appreciate your help in determining if this is indeed a handmade piece. And any other details you may have. Not sure how I add photos.
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@ChristineW Hi & Welcome! Could you please post clear photos of the SB necklace - front & back. Thanks.
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Welcome to the forums @ChristineW.
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@ChristineW Your photos are excellent. That’s a gorgeous squash blossom necklace! The etched letters & numbers, on the naja, could be a Trading Post code that represents the price of the necklace to the trader.
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Thank you so much for your reply.
Christine
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Thank you! I look forward to being a part of this group.
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I’m not great at being able to tell if Navajo beads are handmade, but I am wondering if these possibly are? And I agree that the etched numbers/letters are probably a trader’s/seller’s code, not a hallmark. I’m also going to guess it’s Zuni, but sometimes it’s hard for me to tell Zuni made from Navajo in this kind of jewelry. In cluster pieces such as cuffs, Navajo artists tend to use heavier silver work and stones with more matrix, but I’m not sure if that applies to squashes. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will jump in!
Beautiful squash!
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100%. These are handmade beads.
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You definitely have a nice squash blossom @ChristineW! I certainly agree with @mmrogers regarding the handmade beads, and am going to go out on a limb to say it is more likely Navajo. Although this style was made by Zuni, in my opinion the stones and settings are not as delicate and clean as I would expect with Zuni work. As it can be difficult to differentiate in some cases, I’d love to hear other opinions.
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That was my first thought, as well.
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But now I’m doubting myself after finding this necklace in the book, Navajo and Pueblo Jewelry Design, by Paula Baxter.
If it makes you feel any better, when I bought my turquoise cluster type cuff, the very experienced pawn shop owner in Flagstaff, said about it, “probably zuni, don’t know, could be Navajo.” So you’re in good company 
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My 2 cents worth on the OP’s beautiful SB necklace: the beads look handmade to me. The tiny, round turquoise that’s used (see naja) looks like classic Zuni work to me. The book photo that @TAH posted indicates 1940 for that SB necklace. Is it safe to say that’s also the time frame for the OP’s necklace?
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Yeah, I was questioning myself after I went out on a limb…but if you compare the intricacy of the bezel work and the quality of of the blossoms, I’m thinking it is not Zuni (in my modest, less than professional, opinion🥴). At least we can get lots of opinions and hopefully pertinent information.
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I’m trying to compare the two, but the photo of the squash @ChristineW posted isn’t very clear. For what it’s worth:
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