[Jewelry making - Article 00121] - Re: [Orchid] Turquoise and silver necklace

[George Morey]

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    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. Dear Dave, Having
    been raised in the southwest, and having sold a lot of authentic
    Navajo jewelry, I am quite curious as to the source of your info. My
    Navajo friends, who made Squash Blossom necklaces, always referred
    to the centerpiece as the 'Fertility' , put it's lore into a much
    older era than the Spanish, and did not consider it complete without
    the 'seed' between the enclosing arms of the 'Earth Mother.' 
    Please share, georockman

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