105gr DROPDEAD Gorgeous NAVAJO Multigemstone STERLING SILVER NECKLACE

This is a superlative Navajo large turquoise lapis lazuli cluster silver necklace. This impressive necklace contains beautiful large silver sections that each consist of multiple hand cut teardrop shaped Number 8 turquoise stones. Coral and lapis lazuli Surrounding all of the stones are phenomenal silver works that consist of raindrops. I just love the intricacy and detailing on this beautiful turquoise coral and lapis lazuli cluster silver necklace.

The center section measures around 4"? The two silver sections measure around 2inches X15mm 925, marked. The length of the necklace measures around 17¾ Sturdy 105.6 grams. A History of Native American Jewelry made by Navajo Artists. Some say that thoughtful man began with adornment, with the first bead on a necklace to be precise.

The thing that seperates man from animal is adornment! According to archaeologists, fetishes of stone and shell predate the Christian epoch; excavations in southern Arizona have produced turquoise dating back to 200B. In South America, as early as 900B. Turquoise has and continues to be a standard of Indian Jewelry. It would be hard to imagine Native American Jewelry without the Skystone. One story says, the Ancient Native Americans believed turquoise to be pieces of the sky.

Prehistoric Indians mined turquoise for adornment purposes -primarily drilled turquoise beads and ornaments. It has been found in ancient appliqué on shell and other rock suggesting it's use with wood to create jewelry. From Chaco Canyon to east Mississippi, Native American turquoise jewelry originating from New Mexico's Cerillos Turquoise mining area has been excavated; likewise for turquoise mined from the Kingman, Morenci, and Conejos areas. The Navajo entered the Southwest in the (some say'recent') 14th-16th century.

The Navajo were a nomadic society. They not only raided, but took, kept, and developed whatever suited them. (Anderson) Beaded necklaces (a symbol of prestige), decorated'ketoh' (bow guards), and concha/concho ornamentation likely originated from their most frequent conquests, the Spanish and the Pueblo.

From the Spanish, the Navajo grew to appreciate adornment. The Navajo wore adornments acquired from conquest and trade made of German silver, brass, copper and to a lesser extent, silver. Much from Mexican silversmiths, the Spanish and Native neighbors.

This Navajo jewelry was worn for beauty and pride- the wearing of a crescent or cross did not necessarily symbolize a respect for Christianity or the Moorish influence on Spain. What began with simple rawhide and pedants, later gave way to stone, shell, silver and other metal beads and intricate ornaments.