Vintage Navajo squash blossom necklace w/black onyx

This vintage squash blossom from the 1980's is handcrafted by a Navajo artist. It features 12 blossoms with a Naja that has 5 stone's with a single dangle stone. Matching earrings are also included. This is a rare squash blossom necklace with black onyx.

Material: Sterling silver & black onyx

Tribe Affilation: Navajo

Measurements: Necklace: 24", Naja: 3" x 2-1/2", Earrings: 1" x 1" oblong

SQUASH BLOSSOM NECKLACE: While squash blossom imagery can be found in petroglyphs (rock art) that pre-date European contact in the Southwest, Dubin said the squash blossom necklace was created in the late 1870s or early 1880s after the native people of the area contacted Spanish Mexicans. The Navajo, it is believed, were the first tribe to adopt the design, but by the early 1900s, the art form had spread to neighboring tribes, including the Zuni and the Pueblo.While the entire necklace has taken its name from one type of bead, the classic squash blossom necklace has three distinct parts: the plain round beads; the round beads Naja. Naja is also representative of the womb, and when a squash blossom necklace features a single turquoise nugget suspended from the Naja, it is often interpreted to be symbolic of a child in the womb. Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in Brazil, India, California, and Uruguay. It has a fine texture and black color; however, some onyx also displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background and this variety is known as sardonyx. The name comes from the Greek word onyx. Vintage 1980's Squash Blossom necklace. Set in solid sterling silver with genuine black onyx stones. Each tear dropped shape stone is set in a traditional Navajo "shadow box" design with stamping surrounding the setting. There are 18 individual settings with 6 blossoms per side. Strung on sterling silver Navajo pearls measuring approximately 20" in length. This is the first squash blossom necklace we have offered with black onyx stones. It is light weight and easy to wear. If your a lover of black onyx stones then this is definitely your statement piece.