Looking carefully at the back, I can see two separate curved marks — what appears to be a parenthesis-style ( on the left and a crescent or C on the right. This could read as:
“( C” — a parenthesis + initial C (a style some Navajo artists used for a stylized “C” with a separate maker’s mark)
“KC” or “CK” — two initials stamped separately, slightly apart
A single crescent/moon symbol — some artists used a crescent as a pictograph hallmark rather than initials
@Angie Hi & Welcome. That’s a wonderful pendant with beautiful turquoise! Well, what I possibly “see” is the letter J with a thin crescent moon placed almost under the letter, but not quite. Hopefully, someone has seen this hallmark before and they’ll chime in.
I agree that it’s a lovely pendant. That is not a hallmark that I’m familiar with. Sorry I couldn’t help with that part. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks to those who have responded already, I will keep my eyes here just incase someoneis familiar. Also I have a whole Estate full of thisimilar to this one that I will come back here for input
that’s a really beautiful piece! love the stamping pattern. the mark on the back almost looks more carved with a graving tool than what we usually see from chisels or stamps. that might be a key to who made it, or it could be the piece was made from silver sheet that had been practiced on and later repurposed - ie not a hallmark but a leftover from some previous effort.
oh wow, ok thank you so much for your effort and research. So now knowing this, does this make this not as valuable since its a test stamp?
Now that we know these are likely practice/test stamps and not a hallmark, could anyone suggest a possible price range for this pendant based on its other merits?
Don’t know if it will affect value, but to me it would be a bonus. Some extra character, with it’s own little story to it.
can you post pictures of the full front and back looking straight from the top down, not angled
the connection between pendant and chain needs some serious attention
it’s really attractive and I think it’s def got some value. Not sure the chain itself, while nice, adds a lot, aside from the price of silver. the value to me as a collector would be in the pendant alone. i’m not an appraiser (none of us are) but eBay sold listings for ‘turquoise concho pendant’ will give you an idea of the going price range in the open market for a variety of similar look and quality.
EXACTLY. great minds,
Yes I agree I believe someone put a different chain on the pendant, Should I list this with or without the chain?
another note, I do know that the chain isn’t the one that was originally paired with it, not sure what it looked like before but after seeing your picture now I can see that perfect connection. but the chain I verified is Chain clasp stamps"925" = sterling silver content confirmed. “ITALY” a quality machine-made rope chain.
I would remove the chain and mangled jump ring, then have the pendant tested to verify metal content and sell by itself.
the turquoise and hand stamping is enough to generate interest. verifying metal content as coin or sterling will add mileage and most importantly DO NOT CLEAN OR POLISH.
Thank you, Steve! I agree that the pendant is strong enough to stand on its own. I’m going to take your advice and separate the chain, then get the metal tested to see if it’s coin or sterling. Thanks for the heads-up on the ‘no polish’ rule—I want to make sure I preserve that value for the buyers!
