Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo MELISSA YAZZIE Turquoise 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. Markings: "M" and "Sterling" on the back of the brooch, tested, and guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States - Navajo Nation.

Gram Weight: 4.5 grams. Length: Between 5.48 mm long at its largest and 2.65 mm long at its smallest. Width: Between 5.09 mm at its largest and 4.16 mm wide at its smallest.

Color: opaque red hue with white striations, opaque pink hue with mottling of lighter and darker pinks, opaque lavender hue, opaque orange hue with mottling of lighter orange. Accent Stone: Turquoise, lapis lazuli, Australian fire opal, onyx. Turquoise: 4.40 mm long and 1.61 mm wide, opaque light blue hue; 1.17 mm long and 2.60 mm wide, opaque green hue with lighter green speckles. Lapis lazuli: 5.61 mm long and 2.48 wide, opaque deep blue hue with gold speckling. 1.53 mm long and 5.04 mm wide at its largest; 1.45 mm long and 3.70 mm at its smallest.

Semi-translucent light blue base with a fire of blues, greens, yellows, oranges, and pinks throughout. Onyx: 1.38 mm long and 4.79 mm wide at its largest; 0.78 long and 3.67 mm wide at its smallest; opaque deep black hue.

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 Melissa Yazzie. 925 sterling silver in the motif of a lizard. Features hand-carved and inlaid bands of spiny oyster, lapis lazuli, blue and green turquoise, Australian fire opal, and onyx stones. The beautiful fire of the Australian fire opals contrast beautifully next to the inlaid opaque inky black onyx stones.

The combination of so many different colors in this brooch create a striking, eye-catching effect. 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. 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 Navajo Yazzie family is full of top-tier silversmiths, and widely considered some of the finest craftsmen in the world. Some of the features of the Yazzie familys pieces include silver, gold, and stone inlay, as well as fine beadwork and stonework.

Spiny Oyster is a beautiful natural stone that has a gorgeous light red to pink hue and is often substituted for natural coral in Native American jewelry. Spiny oysters are not true oysters but are more closely related to scallops. They are found primarily in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Baja California. The item "Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo MELISSA YAZZIE Turquoise Inlay Pin Brooch" is in sale since Saturday, May 2, 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
• Ethnic Origin: Southwestern
• Stone #2: Turquoise
• Stone #3: Lapis Lazuli
• Stone #4: Australian Fire Opal
• Stone #5: Onyx
• Metal Purity: .925
• Artisan: Melissa Yazzie
• Main Stone: Spiny Oyster
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Pins
• Tribal Affiliation: Navajo