[Jewelry making - Article 00045] - Re: [Orchid] Turquoise and silver necklace

[Dave Sebaste]

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>     the necklace is quite chunky with a double string of silver beads
>     with ten mounted turquoises and a horseshoe of 7 more at the front. 

    Hi Margaret, 

    There could be quite a range in prices for the necklace, depending
    on several factors: 

    1. The selling venue - it might not get very much at a place like
    eBay, but a sale at a better estate jewelry boutique could increase
    the selling price several times. 

    2. The quality of the turquoise (is it natural or treated, where is
    the turquoise from, etc.) and the craftsmanship in the silver work.
    Also, the silver beads could be handmade bench beads or manufactured
    beads, with the former being more desirable/valuable. 

    3.  The age of the piece. Older native American jewelry (before
    commercialism from the 60's on) is highly desirable among
    collectors. Even though your friend received it twenty-odd years ago,
    was it new or "vintage" when she received it? 

    A good appraisal by a knowledgeable party would be justified.
    Unfortunately, I can't offer any recommendations for such an
    appraisal... especially in Europe. 

    As a side note, the horseshoe shaped pendant is a Naja (or Nazcha),
    which is the Navajo word for "crescent." Native Americans first saw
    this design element on the headstalls or bridles of Spaniard horses
    and adapted it as a jewelry component. The Spaniards most likely
    borrowed it from the Moors, who used it as a talisman for warding off
    the "evil eye." The Naja is frequently found as the pendant in the
    classic southwestern Squash Blossom necklace. 

    All the best, 

Dave

Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans' Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave AT sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com


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