Many queries from you relate to a squash blossom necklace. Just search that term in the right hand column of this blog and you’ll see the number of posts related to SBNs !! One reader asked ” What makes it a squash blossom necklace and why are there so many of them?”
Squash, corn and beans are important foods for the Native American people of the US southwest. They are often used in a symbolic way in jewelry and ceremonies.
Some say the Navajo squash blossom necklace has a connection to southwestern agriculture, other say the the spread petal design is just that, a design, and that is was only after white man asked, “what is this, what does it mean” did the name squash blossom come to be. Yet others say the Navajo copied a similar Spanish design of the pomegranate – look at the end of the pomegranate below and compare it to the “squash blossom” bead.
The Navajo word for the “squash blossom” bead means “bead that spreads out” so it would seem to me that the original intent was design not squash. But what do I know, I wasn’t around in 1880 when spread beads first appeared.
Whichever is the true account, it seems that originally Navajo silversmiths used simple silver bead necklaces to suspend their naja pendants.
In about 1880, the tri-petal form that we know as a squash blossom bead appeared. At first, tri-petal silver beads were simply interspersed with plain beads in a naja necklace. Then stones began to be added to the blossom beads partly to please the maker but mostly to satisfy customer demand.
While usually associated with Navajo silversmiths, squash blossom necklaces are also made and worn by Pueblo and Zuni people. Zuni necklaces usually feature needlepoint designs.
Although there can be any number of squash blossoms on each side of a necklace, there are often six on each side, making twelve squash blossoms and one central naja.
Full size squash blossom necklaces are often quite large and heavy and most suitable for occasional ceremonial wear. Smaller, lighter versions are made to be worn as everyday jewelry.
- Miniature Squash Blossom Necklace by Lorena Peina, Zuni
Why are there so many squash blossom necklaces around? Demand. During the Native American jewelry boom of the 1970s, the artists made them as fast as they sold. They were one of the most popular Native American jewelry purchases of that time.
Native American Jewelry Tips 
I have a double squash. With RCHEE hallmark a arrow below it with 3 feathers. Any help identifying this would sure help.
I hope to resume blogging after fire season……. until then Paula
R CHEE from the Navajo tribe.
Thank you for the information. I am the trustee of a neighbor who died, she left a beautiful SBN that I need to sell for the estate. What is the best way to go about this. She had the necklace about 50 years and the originel price on the back is $375.00. One of the petal is marked, though I cannot read it, it looks to be a design, I figure it is the signature. I would appreciate any help you can send my way.
I hope to resume blogging after fire season…….Paula
What’s the value of an a average SBN ?
I’ve seen them bought and sold for from $50 to $5000 and more so there really isn’t an average price. It will all depend on quality of workmanship, stones, condition. Read this article to help you see all the factors that go into pricing:
http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/pawn-buying.htm
A good place (if you have a discerning eye) to price and even buy Squash Blossom Necklaces is eBay. Of course there are a plethora of “Turquoise thats really ground howlite, and not I’ve seen purple and orange ‘turquoise” but the biggest thing to beware of is the fake silver, called ‘coin silver’ or “Tibetian Silver”..the online buyer has to be aware that there is no actual silver in either of these ‘silver’ products. Tibetian silver is the real deceiver….it looks like it has a real patina and usually the turquoise (howlite) has had a great spiderwebbing made. Remember each of these ovals come out of a machine and are hot glue gunned to the fake silver..for a cost of about 10 cents US. The best ways to tell are (A) Appearance..It just looks cheezy, the ‘silver’ is lightweight and the turquoise feels wrong, it very smooth without any appearance of natural turquoise.
(B) cost. An actual large bracelet with hand stamping and turquoise and coral stones can run $150.00 and up. The Faux jewelry goes for $5-6 dollars. If you want costume jewelry, its the thing to buy-or if you are traveling and don’t want to take your $1500.00 Squash Blossom necklace, you can buy an inexpensive one for $20.00 online. I also replace my real silver rings with Tibetian silver when I travel. I like jewelry but don’t want to lose it to a thief.
The honest eBayer will tell you what her jewelry is made out of.. Don’t use Tarnex to clean Turquoise silver jewelry-the turquoise may be glued in and the Tarnex can easily melt the clue. Besides it’s an awful chemical.
You are totally wrong in stating coin silver as fake silver! Coin silver consists of melted silver coins which was the original way the Navajo collected silver to make jewelry. It would actually test 90% silver or higher based on the metal mixture used to make the coins. For reference, sterling silver has to be at least 92.5% silver. Other metals are added (usually nickel, copper, zinc, and/or brass) to harden or make solid since raw silver is very soft and pliable. I believe you were referring to German silver which contains no silver content. Often called Nickel silver, but that is misleading because there is nickel silver with silver content of 90%. Even Alpaca silver usually holds 70-75% silver. Mixing copper or brass to the silver mix usually causes the silver to reflect a yellowish haze. I hope this description helps others because way too many people that don’t really know what they are talking about creates much confusion for the ordinary public.
Yes there are numerous articles posted by me, the owner of this blog, related to the facts about silver. If you search, you will find. For example:
But comments are left by all kinds of people on this blog. I replied to the person who left the one you must be referring to about coin silver being fake.
Paula
You are wrong about coin silver, read here https://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/what-does-coin-silver-mean-in-relation-to-vintage-native-american-jewelry/
where can I sell my native american silver jewelry in the nyc area
Hi Linda,
We purchase NA jewelry – you can read all about it here http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/pawn-buying.htm
Paula
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I am looking for a SMALL squash blossom necklace or choker, ideally WITHOUT the large naja central pendant. I am also interested in matching earrings
Hi – I wrote you an email with a couple of suggestions. I’ll start another post with your question. Paula
Where can I sell Native American jewelry in NJ
Hi Linda,
I sent you a reply via email. Paula
Paula,
I have a bracelet that I need translation on the story. It is a Tom and Sue Kee. Please email me back and I will send you a picture.
Sent you an email.
My mother passed away and left 3 of these necklaces to be given to each of her daughters. I was told a story today about this type of necklace and I was wondering if it were true. These are apparently passed down to each generation. I was told that the sides of the necklace portrayed how many children were in the family and the main piece is the chief of the family, also that when the necklace was closed it completed the family circle. Is this true? My mother was a 1/4 cherokee.
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Hi there,
I have a broken squash blossom, and not only am I asking for your recommendation on a good Native American repairmain here near me in Florida, I would also love ant information you may have about the hallmark/maker’s mark if you can find time to help. It’s almost looks like an Indian head is carved into the signature. Also, since I came upon it broken, I’m missing some of the “blossoms”. I know you don’t do assessments of value and I respect that, but do you think it would lower the beauty of the necklace if I still got it redone and wore it? I even have “matching” ( and I say that lightly since they don’t bear the same maker’s mark but look to be from about the same time period, but I honestly know very little about these necklaces except I love them enough to buy the broken one and try to get it fixed or fix it) screw-back post earrings. I have several pictures ready to send if you have time availability to help. Thank you so much. I’ve really enjoyed reading all the questions- even if you can’t get to mine, please keep answering them! -Tonya
We don’t do repairs here but we recommend this business for Native American jewelry repairs. They do all of the repairs for our store and we are thoroughly satisfied with their work.
Contact:
Diane Radeke
Old Town Trading Co. / Jewels of the West
4009 N. Brown Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
602-350-4009
info@oldtownjewels.com
I’m suspending the question and answer for the time being but refer you to
the blog and to this article specifically:
Paula
Manager
Horsekeeping http://www.horsekeeping.com
Native American Jewelry Blog https://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/
Vintage Dooney & Bourke Blog http://vintagedooneybourke.wordpress.com/
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I have a squash blossom necklace like the one on this webpage. You are telling about them and I would like to know if this is worth much. I can’t find a mark anywhere on it. Thanks Terry Ingram
good morning, I purchased a belt buckle at a thrift store. it says “copper bell” with a picture of a bell on the back. it is beautiful that is why I purchased it. it has teal colored stones on the front. Can you tell me what kind of stones they are? perhaps give me a value of my thrift store treasure? thank you I would appreciate it. I can email you a picture…..
I have a question….I thought I posted something but now I can’t find it. can you email me?
What does it mean if the squashblossom is closed and not opened or flared out on a ver old pair of Navajo Earrings ? Thanks , Natalie
I purchased an opal squash blossom with matching earrings in New Mexico. I’d like to know the history on it. It’s stamped JK
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