I have a sandcast sterling silver Navajo double yei naja I’m hoping to learn a little bit more about. I have no idea how old it is, who the artist might be or how it should be valued. It was given to me over 35 years ago by an elderly neighbor who was a jewelry artist most of his life. If I remember correctly, he told me he picked it up somewhere in the southwest. I think I was about nine years old at the time and I didn’t think to ask too many questions about it then. I’d love to find out how old it is, if there is a way to identify the artist and determine the value. The value part isn’t honestly that important as I never plan on selling it and will pass it on to my son, but it might be good to know.
There are no stamps or makers marks on the back. I know it has to be at least about 45 years old, considering how long I’ve had it and the minimum amount of time that my neighbor would have had ownership of it.
Thanks in advance to any of you that want to take the time to chip in
Oh, by the way, the necklace it’s on isn’t original. Just something I came up with to wear on special occasions.
I have one nearly identical I bought in Albq about 25 years ago. I think it might be a fairly common casting.
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What I can tell you is that this is a machine casting rather than a Navajo sand casting. Additionally, given the nature of the casting process, the naja is very unlikely to be Navajo made, or of native origin. The necklace itself is likely the product of a ‘stringer’ using supply house findings castings, and predrilled bead material to assemble the findings into the finished necklace.
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