Here's a fantastic, dead pawn, vintage, handmade beaded necklace with a large turquoise pendant that we purchased from a well respected pawn trader in northern Arizona, adjacent to the Navajo reservation.
This remarkable old beauty features two things. First is the beaded necklace that was made with handmade round and barrel beads, and second is the incredible, large turquoise pendant with a natural free formed top surface.
The necklace measures 22" long. The pendant is 2+1/8" long and 2" wide. Together they weigh 86 grams.
The pendant is attached to the necklace with an enabler bale and it can easily be removed and placed on another necklace if so desired. The necklace can also be worn without the pendant attached.
There is no artist's hallmark nor any indication of the silver content. We do not test for sterling as the chemicals in the testing kit tend to stain the silver.
Due to state laws that limit the amount of information pawn sellers can offer the only additional information we have it that the beaded necklace was made by a Navajo silversmith probably during the 1940's or 1950's. The pendant appears to be somewhat newer.
Despite it's age and travels the necklace is in very good condition but there is some wear visible on the barrel beads. The turquoise pendant could pass as new. The coin in the second picture is a quarter dollar.
