This is an exquisite Navajo turquoise nugget necklace comprised of beautiful dark green center- and off-center drilled turquoise stones and turquoise hieshe with a pair of jaclas. The turquoise hieshe is all hand-cut and hand-drilled. Most of the nugget turquoise stones are drilled off center, which is a favorite manner for pieces made for Native use. The turquoise is all-natural and untreated.

As we have stated many times, this style necklace is the most traditional of all necklaces that we associate with the Pueblo and Navajo cultures. Long before silver was introduced they were making necklaces of turquoise, hieshe, shell, coral and any other natural material. This is the style they were wearing when the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century; and this is the style they wear today during religious and social dances. This is a necklace often seen in historic photographs of both tribes.

In some necklaces, the hieshe beads strung between the nuggets are made from shell, but in this one, they are all drilled turquoise hieshe.  The only shells associated with this necklace are the white tips of the jaclas.

Condition:  The necklace is in excellent condition.  It has been re-strung and is ready for wear.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Florida