Turquoise nugget beads

Value Opinions
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I was at a flea market in western NY yesterday and snapped a picture behind glass of these “turquoise” nuggets. It wasn’t a finished necklace and needed to be restrung. Now I can’t stop thinking about these nuggets, but I don’t know how to properly evaluate them. So now I’m trying to learn on the fly watching videos and looking at other nugget necklaces and prices on-line.

Any guidance on what I’m looking at. I would say the largest nuggets was a bit over 1 inch. Lots of variation in blues and greens.

Going back Friday and hoping they are still there.

SORRY about the picture quality. What was I thinking (or not).

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Thanks!

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I certainly can’t say 100%, especially about if they’re native made or not, but the turquoise really reminds me of some on a necklace that I bought years ago at the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market when they used to have some shops from Gallup bring in boxes of pawn jewelry for sale.

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As you can see my ticket doesn’t say what turquoise mine it’s from, but I lean towards stabilized Kingman, because there’s boatloads of it out there.

The stones like this one are what made me think of my necklace.

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Beautiful necklace Ziacat. Thanks for the input. I need to touch and study turquoise from actual collectors and trusted dealers. But I’m in western NY and haven’t run across anyone like that. So I’m left learning from photos :frowning:

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I’m looking at the fetish necklace in that case and it’s most likely an import because I see the dreaded armadillo fetish… and the fact the turquoise needs to be restrung would make me wary. But look to see if the turquoise looks hand drilled which would be a very good thing.

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Thanks for the input Conni. That’s helpful. I actually passed on heading back on Friday as it was a few hours in both directions. I would have asked the info on the nuggets if I had gone back to look again. I’ve known her for over 40 years, but I have only bought signed vintage 40s-60s Mexican silver back in the day.

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Hello Conni…I looked up the dreaded armadillo fetish and found some made by the Zuni. Why is that a sign that it is an import? Thnx

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i believe armadillos are considered taboo with some of the pueblos, and would never be found on a legit Zuni fetish necklace. Some of the other more obvious faux fetishes are dolphins and elephants, which are obviously not native to the SW.

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@nanc9354 I’m curious where you saw Zuni made armadillo fetishes and how you know that they are actually Zuni made? The vast majority of fetish necklaces out there are imports/fakes/not Zuni made. Agree with @Jemez2 that nontraditional animals such as armadillos, dolphins, etc. are a telltale giveaway of a fake.

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A good old thread on what to look for in authentic fetish necklaces:

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Hi :woman_shrugging:just typed in Zuni Armadillo in search engine and there was items from many sellers. 20 Zuni Fetishes and Their Meanings | Kachina House