Vintage Native Zuni Sterling Silver Turquoise Coral Inlay Beaded Necklace 44.2g

  

We have similar Zuni and Inlay items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A. Age Circa: Vintage Native Zuni C. Markings: "Sterling" on the back of the pendant, "925" on the spring ring clasp, "Italy 925" on the chain link, tested, and guaranteed.

Country of Origin: United States - Zuni Nation (pendant); Italy (chain). Gram Weight: 44.2 grams. Length: 4.69 mm to 10.67 mm. Width: 2.07 mm to 5.09 mm.

Color: opaque bright blue hue with brown spiderwebbing, opaque green hue with deeper green and tan hues. Accent Stone: Red coral, lapis lazuli, Australian fire opal, sugilite. Red Coral: 4.53 mm to 10.67 mm long, 1.84 mm to 4.42 wide, opaque bright red hue with mottled grey and tan hues throughout. Lapis Lazuli: 9.55 mm long, 7.48 mm wide, opaque deep blue hue with grey speckling. Australian Fire Opal: 3.69 mm to 10.86 mm long, 0.59 mm wide, opaque blue base hue with iridescent deeper blue and green hues. Sugilite : 9.77 mm long, 7.30 mm wide, opaque purple hue. Stone Treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester. Stone Cuts: Carved and polished inlay. Chain width: 5.06 mm. Pendant length: 2.78 (including bale). Bale opening: approximately 17 mm long, 10.66 mm wide. Closure/Clasp Type: Lobster clasp and standard bale. Link Type: Sterling silver beads on chain. Handmade during the 1990s by a talented Zuni artisan. Features an oval pendant inlaid with red coral, lapis lazuli, Australian fire opal, and sugilite stones. The many colorful hues of the stones draw the eye to the piece, with the blue hues of the turquoise contrasting beautifully with the deeper blue hue of the lapis lazuli stones. The inlaid stones adorn the center of the pendant, surrounded by a rope twist and geometric border. The chain is strung with sterling silver beads. Finished with a lobster clasp, the necklace dangles down the chest and rests against the décolletage on most people when worn. This listing is for the item only.

This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith. It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find.

This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today.

The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s. When a loan wasnt repaid, the item became known as either Old Pawn or Dead Pawn. The Zuni Nation is well known for their stone inlay work, mosaic-like images depicting religious and cultural motifs created from materials that were readily available.

Their modern work is well known for its bold stone colors; often turquoise and coral are used. It is rare for their pieces to be signed, as the Zuni People believe artwork belongs to the entire community. Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing. Red coral has played an important part in Chinese art, culture, and style throughout history and into the 21st century. Red coral has been used as an ornamental stone or material in Chinese jewelry, carvings, and sculptures because of its vibrant variety of red hues. In ancient times, red coral was delivered to China by the Silk Roads from Italy, by sea from the Persian Gulf, and from the Mediterranean Sea via the Indian Ocean.

The amount of natural red color has dramatically decreased in recent years due to environmental factors and coral harvesting. The quantity of manufactured coral on the market has increased as the popularity of Chinese red coral continues.

Discovered in the second half of the 19th century in Australia, fire opals rose to popularity amongst the aristocracy of the Victorian era, both within Australia and beyond. Queen Victoria herself was well-known for her appreciation of the stone, owning an entire collection of jewelry featuring the stunning stone. Mined in Australia and exported to the rest of the world, this new variety of opal was available to only the wealthiest of aristocrats.

As the name suggests, these opals are known for their intense flashes of fire, which usually appears a vibrant red, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples, among other hues. They are typically cut into cabochons that show off their fire and are perfectly suited to a variety of different jewelry pieces. The item "Vintage Native Zuni Sterling Silver Turquoise Coral Inlay Beaded Necklace 44.2g" is in sale since Sunday, December 6, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Necklaces & Pendants".

The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country of Origin: United States
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Accent Stones: Red Coral, Lapis Lazuli
• Accent Stone #2: Australian Fire Opal, Sugilite
• Metal Purity: .925
• Main Stone: Turquoise
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Necklaces
• Tribal Affiliation: Zuni