Is it okay to wear a squash blossom necklace?

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.

What does a squash blossom necklace represent?

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.

What should I look for when buying a squash blossom necklace?

Examine the individual beads, squash blossoms, stones, and pendant that make up the squash blossom necklace. If you’re looking to invest in a vintage piece, look for signs of scuffing, scratching, and overall tarnishing on the different elements of the necklace.

Is it OK to wear Navajo jewelry?

Luckily for you, many Native artists don’t actually mind non-Natives wearing their designs or borrowing from their aesthetic. In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer.

What is a squash blossom necklace worth?

Note that many handmade, authentic squash blossom necklace sets are easily worth $1,500, with individual squash blossom pendants being worth over $300. If a seller offers you a necklace for a low price, like $100, you can safely assume that the product is a counterfeit.

What is a squash blossom called?

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.

How can you tell if jewelry is native?

Inspect the quality of the materials. 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. Also be on the lookout for sterling silver versus silver-plated jewelry.

What is the value of a squash blossom necklace?

How can you tell if Native American jewelry is real?

How do you avoid buying fake Native American jewelry?

Buy from a Trusted Dealer The best way to avoid buying fake jewelry is to avoid dealers that sell it. At Southwest Silver Gallery, we’ve built a solid reputation by sourcing our genuine Native American jewelry from artisans representing the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo tribes.

Is it OK to wear Indian jewelry?

Native Responses: I often make jewelry for a specific person in mind because it’s a form of protection in our culture. I think as long as you’re wearing jewelry made by Native people, it’s fine. Also be cautious about old jewelry with broken stones. These items could very well have been grave-robbed goods.

What kind of necklace is a squash blossom?

Dramatic Navajo Inspired Navajo Pearls Layered Necklace With Turquoise Color Beads Layer With Squash Blossom Necklace Big Round Turquoise and Silver Squash Blossom Necklace Set. Flowerets, Classic, Gift,

Where did the squash flower get its name?

The squash blossom was borrowed from Spanish silver ornament, although Europeans knew it as a pomegranate flower. Pomegranate trees are not native to America, so the squash flower was probably the closest correlate in Native experience and, as a critical food crop, its blossom certainly was worthy of being wrought in silver.

How old is a Navajo squash blossom coin?

Often Navajo squash blossoms have old coinage on them and people tend to assume because they have these early coins dating from the 1910s or 1930s that it must be from the same timeframe as the coins are. The reality is that’s actually quite rare.

Is it okay to wear a squash blossom necklace? 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. What does a squash blossom necklace represent?…