Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Turquoise Beetle Bug Pin Brooch

  

We have similar Navajo and Turquoise items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A. Age Circa: Antique Native Navajo C. Markings: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States - Navajo Nation.

Gram Weight: 13.2 grams. Color: opaque light blue 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 cabochon.

Bale: The bale opening measures 3.13 mm in diameter. Pin/Brooch Style: Brooch, lapel pin, hat pin, scarf pin, tie pin. Closure Type: Pin stem with a locking "c" clasp. Convertible to Necklace Pendant: This item contains a standard bale and could be worn on a chain as a pendant. Handmade during the 1940s by a talented Navajo artisan. 925 sterling silver crafted into the motif of a beetle. The body of the brooch features two three-dimensional wings which gently curve over the beetle's rounded abdomen. A light blue turquoise stone adorns the beetle's head, which also showcases two antenna for realistic detail.

Completed with a pin stem and a locking "c" clasp, allowing it to be worn on a variety of accessories, including hats, scarves, and lapels, among many others; because this item also features a bale, it can also be worn as a pendant on a chain. The brooch displays some tarnish which gives it a lovely antique quality. There is a number written on the bottom of the brooch, but this is not visible when worn. The hinge is slightly bent, and this does not affect wear. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

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 Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one of the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health. The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani in turn taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans. In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. 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. 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. The item "Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Turquoise Beetle Bug Pin Brooch" is in sale since Sunday, May 3, 2020.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Pins, Brooches". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country of Origin: United States - Navajo Nation
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Metal Purity: .925
• Main Stone: Turquoise
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Pins
• Tribal Affiliation: Navajo