Hi everyone! I’m looking at purchasing this necklace but was hoping to identify the maker before I do. Pretty confident it’s Zuni and I have seen similar and similarly signed pieces, though none are conclusively identified. Marked “JM Sterling”. Thanks in advance!
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The mark looks similar to James Mason but he is navajo. I googled the name and someone is selling a very similar piece on etsy under that name but I wouldn’t take that as gospel they may just assume it is right
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The necklace is pretty but just know that there are a lot of imports in the marketplace. There are some beautiful pieces by Native American artists but so many aren’t that I would be sure before investing a lot of money. Maybe @Jason could help here.
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@islandmomma the other thread on same topic:
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Curious about this too because I’m bidding on some earrings in a very similar style – Zuni, appearing – signed JM. Same color palette, as well. Any updates?
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Looking at the necklace, I don’t trust it to be Native made. Can’t say much about the earrings since I can’t see them.
If you Google James Mason his work doesn’t look like this (I only did a quick Goggle), and he isn’t Zuni.
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I don’t know. They don’t look blatantly fake like the pendant, but I can’t find that hallmark with this type of inlay on legit sources online. Hopefully someone else will know more.
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Some defaults you always start with for Zuni jewelry (remember they don’t always hold true) is silver weight, Zuni jewelry would be characterized as light. The pair of earrings look to be like the manufactured link bracelets you find on the market. Hallmark, of course some Zuni artists have a stamped hallmark, many times you will find them etching their name into the silver. Light silver and a deep name stamp don’t always work together. You find Zuni artists who will use fake stone, especially with the rising cost, but you hope to find something real. The chain on the pendant necklace is store bought chain, not handmade. Last, is an artist by the name JD Massie was well known for Sunface pendants. If you googled Zuni JM sunface necklace, probably a good chance that their work shows up giving you an idea that this work is legitimate.
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