How can you tell if Native American jewelry is real?

American Indian artists use only high-quality stones and metals in their jewelry. Sometimes, spotting a fake is as easy as taking a close look at the craftsmanship. A genuine piece will have no wavering lines or lopsided designs, well-cut stones that are uniform in size, and no visible glue between the metal and stone.

How do you identify squash blossoms?

It’s really pretty easy. Female squash blossoms usually grow close to the center of the plant. Check the base of the flower where the blossom meets the stem. Female squash blossoms have a small swollen embryonic fruit at their base, which will grow into a squash if the bee does what bees do.

What are squash blossom necklaces strung on?

Naja

Is it okay to wear a squash blossom necklace?

The horseshoe-shaped Naja is the focal point of any squash blossom necklace, typically strung at the bottom. Squash blossom necklaces predate English contact with Native Americans in the southwestern United States but are thought to be influenced by the Spanish.

Why does my squash plant have flowers but no squash?

Large, heavy and uncomfortable to wear, the squash blossom necklace is nonetheless one of those. The good news today is that such pieces have largely been relegated to decorative status, though anecdotal evidence suggests they may be coming back.

Should you remove squash blossoms?

If your squash plant produces ample flowers but never bears actual fruit, or it bears fruit that stops growing when it’s very small, then you’re likely dealing with a pollination issue. Most squash are monoecious, meaning that a single plant produces both male and female flowers.

What does the squash blossom signify?

Removing squash flowers helps you control the productivity of a plant. Squash plants tend to produce more male flowers than female, but you can remove the excess male blooms so the plants can focus on fruit development. The blossoms are also edible.

What is the significance of the squash blossom in Native American jewelry?

Were squash blossom necklaces worn for a specific purpose? While the necklaces do not have a specific ceremonial use, they were worn as a symbol of one’s status, wealth and cultural belonging. And the bigger, the better, Dubin said: “You wore your wealth in these cultures—you wore your silver, you wore your turquoise.”

What is a squash blossom called?

As with many native cultures, wealth was often worn in the form of adornment, and in many early photographs of the Navajo and other Southwestern Native peoples, it is clear that Squash Blossom Necklaces were worn with pride and reverence for their beauty and inherent value.

Can men wear squash blossom?

Squash blossoms (called courgette flowers in Great Britain) are the edible flowers of Cucurbita species, particularly Cucurbita pepo, the species that produces zucchini (courgette), marrow, spaghetti squash, and many other types of squash.

What does the Naja mean?

antique & vintage Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi jewelry for sale. Native American squash blossom necklaces are some of the best known Indian jewelry and are worn by both men and women. The squash blossom was borrowed from Spanish silver ornament, although Europeans knew it as a pomegranate flower.

How are Navajo pearls made?

The naja is a crescent-shaped piece that is often worn alone as a pendant or as the center piece of a squash blossom necklace in Southwestern Indian jewelry. The word “naja” is the Navajo word for “crescent”. Navajo Indian silversmiths began incorporating the naja design into their jewelry.

Can men wear a squash blossom necklace?

Navajo Pearls are traditionally made sterling silver beads. Making the beads is a time-consuming process. Each bead begins with silver that has to be melted, rolled and cut. Holes are punched, rounded, and then the beads are sanded and polished, all by hand.

How do I identify old pawn jewelry?

It began as a Silver Necklace made for men to wear, the Squash Blossoms replicate the Palmegranate, this was a symbol of wealth to the Navajo men. The Squash Blossom was the second generation of a Navajo Mens Necklace, later in years the Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklaces were worn by the Navajo Squaws.

What are real Navajo pearls made of?

Authentic Old Pawn jewelry will have a natural gray patina, indicating age. It takes decades for the patina to develop and may appear grayer in dry climates like the southwest. Humidity will add a darker, blacker patina. Patina typically isn’t buffed off in order to preserve its history and value.

Are Navajo pearls sterling silver?

sterling silver

Why are they called ghost beads?

Navajo Pearls are made of sterling silver and every individual one is handmade from cutting all the way through to stringing. No two beads are alike and the time-intensive process is what makes Navajo Pearls so special and so expensive.

What are Navajo bench beads?

The beautiful style of jewelry called Desert or Navajo Pearls are sterling silver beads traditionally made by Navajo (Diné) silversmiths. Traditionally, Navajo Pearls are individually made by hand, making each bead one of a kind.

How do you clean Navajo pearls?

It wards off negative energy, bringing about protection from evil spirits, ghosts and nightmares. You will see ghost beads referred to being made from cedar seeds, juniper seeds or juniper/cedar seeds. If you want to be technically correct, they should be called juniper seeds or berries.

What are the different lengths of necklaces?

Bench made Beads vs Hand Made Beads

Also, when taking the time to make beads by hand, Navajo silversmiths generally use heavy gauge sterling silver, which also adds to the price. Bench made Beads (also known as Bench Beads) usually refer to beads that are partially manufactured and partially hand made.

When did the Navajos live?

The best way to clean is a simple one. A soft brush (such as an old toothbrush) or a soft cloth can be used to carefully remove the tarnish or other materials from the piece. Remember to be gentle with your touch, rubbing the piece with medium pressure to remove the tarnish.