Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo F. MARTINEZ Jasper Lizard Inlay Pin Brooch

  

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

Main Stone: Tiger's Eye. Length: Between 7.7 mm and 9.65 mm. Width: Between 3.38 mm and 6.21 mm. Color: opaque brown hue with banding of lighter and darker brown hues and chatoyancy.

Accent Stone: Petrified wood, onyx, and white jasper. Petrified Wood: 4.60 mm long and 7.46 mm wide; 8.06 mm wide and 3.75 mm long; opaque light brown hue. Onyx: Four sections of onyx measure between 1.17 mm and 5.02 mm long and between 5.75 mm wide and 9.50 mm wide; opaque deep black hue. White Jasper: 4.74 mm long and 9.32 mm wide; 4.36 mm long and 9.60 mm wide; opaque beige hue with mottling of tan. 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 inlaid stones.

Pin/Brooch Style: Brooch, lapel pin, hat pin, scarf pin, tie pin. Closure Type: Pin stem with locking "c" clasp.

Convertible to Necklace Pendant: If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant. Handmade during the 1990s by talented Navajo artisan F. 925 sterling silver in the motif of a lizard.

Features hand-carved and inlaid alternating bands of petrified wood, tiger's eye, onyx, and white jasper stones. The center tiger's eye stone displays gorgeous chatoyancy that follows the light as it reflects off the face of the stone at different angles. The black, brown, and beige tones of the stones contrast gorgeously with the cool tone of the silver. Completed with a pin stem with a locking "c" clasp, allowing it to be worn on a variety of accessories, including hats, scarves, and lapels, among many others. Tarnish on the sterling silver gives this piece an antique quality which we believe is quite lovely.

There is an internal stress line within one of the petrified wood stones that would have been created as the stone was forming; the stone is completely secure and this does not affect wear. 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 wasn't repaid, the item became known as either "Old Pawn" or Dead Pawn. A form of chalcedony, jasper is an opaque mineral of virtually any color.

Jasper is often observed with patterns that occur during the mineral's formation. Certain forms of jasper such as the pale green variety have been popular since the ancient period; the Minoans on Crete favored green jasper for their seals, but green jasper was also popular among the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Hebrews of antiquity.

Hailed as a significant gemstone among the ancients, it was also used to produce objects larger than jewelry such as vases and other vessels. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Brooches & Pins". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country of Origin: United States - Navajo Nation
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Stone #4: Petrified Wood
• Artisan: F. Martinez
• Jewelry Type: Pins
• Stone #2: Onyx
• Stone #3: White Jasper
• Modified Item: No
• Ethnic Origin: Southwestern
• Type: Brooch
• Metal Purity: .925
• Main Stone: Tiger's Eye
• Brand: F. Martinez
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
• Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American