Pawn Jewelry-Navajo heart pendant

Navajo crafted pendant made of solid sterling silver. The pendant features a heart style design with orange spiny oyster shell in the center and turquoise stones surrounding.The pendant hangs on a medium sized bail with decorative saw cuts on it. It has a medium weight and is easy to wear on a small chain or a strand of beads.  It comes attached to its original red pawn ticket.The term "pawn" refers to jewelry that has been pawned to brokers. The practice of pawning jewelry began in the early 1900s when Native Americans and traders would exchange jewelry for food and other necessities, it is still used today and is embedded in the Navajo culture. 

Material: Sterling silver, spiny oyster shell &  turquoise

Tribe affiliation: Navajo

Time period: current

Measurement: 2-1/2" in total length with the bail

pendant measurements: 1-3/4" x 1-1/2"