The History of the Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace


The classic Navajo squash blossom necklace has grown in popularity over the past years. Although it’s admiration in mainstream fashion has grown widely, the squash blossom necklace is a symbolic design with a history that surpasses over hundreds of years. 

What is a Squash Blossom Necklace?
An original squash blossom necklace is formed with silver and turquoise and entails round silver beads intermingled with beads that appear like they are blooming, all which lead down to a horse-shoe like pendant at the bottom called the Naja.

Origin of the Squash Blossom
The Navajo tribe was the first to adopt this design after encounters with the Spanish Mexicans that arrived at their land. The name ‘squash blossom’ originated by the signature beads found in the necklace, that spread out like a blossoming flower. 

The Naja
The Naja symbol was created as a talisman for protection, to ward off evil spirits. The Naja shape has also been known as an illustration of the womb, and when a squash blossom necklace has one turquoise piece suspended from the Naja, it is interpreted to be a representation of a child in the womb.

The Squash Blossom in Fashion
The squash blossom necklace style has not disappeared. Today the Navajo squash blossom necklace has developed past the traditional silver and turquoise. Squash blossom necklaces today have elements of gold diamonds. However, the original Native American squash blossom necklaces are made with silver and turquoise.

Handmade Native American Jewelry
At Palms Trading we offer a wide variety of authentic Navajo squash blossom necklaces. All our Native American jewelry is handmade by local Native American Indian artists. As a result, each squash blossom necklace we have in-store is unique and you won’t find someone else wearing something exactly like it.
 
Location: 1504 Lomas Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Techniques and Styles Associated with the Creation of Vintage and Contemporary Native American Jewelry

Image
Palms Trading Company has been selling and trading in Native American & Vintage Native American Jewelry for over 75 years. As experts in Native American craft and jewelry we have become quite familiar with the different styles and techniques used to create these southwestern treasures. Silverwork is a relatively new trade among Southwest Native Americans, taught to them by the Spanish and Mexicans in the 19th century. The Navajo were the first to learn silversmithing and subsequently developed the first recognizable style now associated with Vintage Native American Jewelry of the southwest. Since then, distinctive styles and techniques of jewelry creation have emerged from the Zuni, Santo Domingo, and Hopi tribes, offering an expansive array of beautiful and masterfully executed jewelry. Different Techniques Used in the Creation of Native American Jewelry 1. Stamping:                     A term used in silver smithing to describe a process whereby a design is 'stam
Read more

Characteristic Pueblo Styles | Palms Trading ABQ

Within our selection of southwestern Indian turquoise earrings, the characteristic styles of each tribe or Pueblo are evident. Navajo Indian jewelry uses chunky stones set in sterling silver bezels, some simple, some very intricate or small stones set amidst detailed stamping. Santo Domingo Pueblo jewelry commonly uses turquoise slabs cut into simple shapes or small turquoise beads to create heishi earrings. Zuni Native American Indian jewelry artists typically favor the pure sky blue of Sleeping Beauty stones to create intricate needlepoint designs or patterned inlays. Some inlaid designs create a mosaic of common symbols, like the Sun Face. The use of brushed and oxidized silver further adds to the variety of our Native American turquoise earrings. https://www.slideshare.net/palmstrading/characteristic-pueblo-styles-palms-trading-abq
Read more

What is a Squash Blossom Necklace? – Palms Trading Company

Image
A squash blossom necklace is made primarily from silver and turquoise (or other semi-precious stones) and may feature silver beads surrounding beads that look like they are blooming, hence the term “blossom.” It is said that these blossoms are fashioned after the pomegranate flower, seen on Spanish conquistadors. The horseshoe-shaped Naja is the focal point of any squash blossom necklace, typically strung at the bottom. Squash blossom necklaces predate English contact with Native Americans in the southwestern United States but are thought to be influenced by the Spanish. Squash blossom necklaces date as far back as the 1870s, and have remained fairly consistently popular throughout history. https://palmstradingcompany.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/squash-blossom-necklace/
Read more