Diné (Navajo) Turquoise Nugget Necklace and Jaclas [SOLD]

This is an exquisite Navajo turquoise nugget necklace comprised of beautiful dark blue and dark green off-center drilled turquoise stones and turquoise hieshe with a pair of jaclas. The turquoise hieshe is all hand-cut and hand-drilled. Some of the nugget turquoise stones are drilled off center, which is a favorite manner for pieces made for Native use. The turquoise is all-natural and untreated.  Near the top of the necklace are two appended items tied to the necklace.  One is a tubular brass sleeve and the other is a small turquoise nugget.  This is a standard practice on necklaces made for Native use and never seen on necklaces made for sale.

This is a style necklace favored by Navajo and Pueblo natives and is often seen in historic photographs of both tribes. This particular necklace was most likely made and worn by a Navajo and eventually pawned at the trading post and surrendered. It has not been restrung and is as pawned by the owner.

Turquoise has always had enormous sacred and economic value among Southwestern cultures.  In prehistoric times, a lively turquoise trade network extended from the West Indies and the Yucatán Peninsula to the Southwest and from California to Mississippi.  Ancient turquoise offerings were found by archaeologists under support posts and in sealed wall crypts in the kivas of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico.  (Dubin)

Necklaces of this style long preceded silver and turquoise necklaces seen today.  The Navajo and Pueblo natives wore these as standard items of jewelry long before the advent of silver in their lives.  There are no necklaces more traditional than these.

Condition: The necklace is in excellent condition.

Provenance: from a collector in New York

Recommended Reading: North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment by Lois Sherr Dubin