Need help understanding this. “Experts” on other forms have either deemed it junk or given me a little insight. It belonged to my mom. I’m thinking Mexican repro or Hippie repro? 70s tourist trade stuff? Any idea? No markings
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Hi Bob. This is a production work squash blossom, most likely from the early to mid 70’s. Typically a workshop or trading company would provide turquoise and silver for several squash blossoms to a Native craftsperson, and the craftsperson would receive a set price for each squash set for labor. The turquoise is inexpensive treated stone, probably Kingman, and at the time would have been considered near bottom shelf in terms of price and quality. These were usually delivered unstrung, with the stringing taking place in the shop or trading company which commissioned the work.
The beads look machine made, and could be something other than sterling with a plated surface. You’ll need to have them tested to find out.
The work is probably Navajo, but no telling without a traceable hallmark.
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So value? Non-existent?
I wouldn’t be too quick to say no value. I agree with @mmrogers , have the beads and major items tested for silver. German or nickel silver was also used back then as well as many items being imported. Those pieces sell for less but still have value. More info is needed at this point. I would like to see a closeup of the clasp.
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@BobTheGrizz Hi ~ I totally agree with the valuable info that @mmrogers & @StevesTrail have shared here. I’m not an appraiser so I can’t suggest a value for your nice squash blossom necklace. However, this is a tool that I personally use. On eBay, you’ll see a list of Categories on the page. Scroll until you see “Show Only”. Under that is a “Sold Items” section. You can search squash blossom necklaces, and get an idea or ballpark valuation based on comparable sold ones. Hope this is helpful to you.
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You’ll have to test for sterling to really know. The round beads look like machine made as said above. Test both the round beads and squash/naja pieces as they may not be the same composition. If it’s silver there is value regardless of being machine made and shop work parts; if pot metal or nickel silver not so much.
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Could be strung on fox tail which is braided steel wire. Looking at the naja and blossom stations again I think you may have nickel rather than silver, which would also explain the use of what looks like plated base metal beads.
Most pawn shops have test kits on hand.
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Beads are magnetic which would indicate nickle. Naja and blossoms are not.
Non-ferrous metals are non reactive (non-magnetic). Nickel, copper, brass, aluminum don’t react to magnets.
Nickel is typically tested with a nitric acid test kit.
A poor man’s test would be a drop or two of undiluted chlorine bleach. Bleach will oxidize silver from white to gray.
In any case you’ll need to have it tested to be certain.
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What can I possibly loose? I’m gonna take it to a shop tomorrow
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Good plan! (20 character minimum met)
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Ya’ll have been more than helpful. And I truly thank you!
I honestly can’t stand when someone belittles an item. It happened on another place on the internet. I seriously got a bit of shame thinking my necklace was really nothing more than a string of junk.
Ya’ll stepped in a were extremely kind and guided me to the right resources.
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