Silver Stamped Cross with Sonoran Turquoise
Sterling Silver Stamped Cross with Sonoran Turquoise by Leonard Maloney. This pendant features oxidized sterling silver with a bezel set Sonoran Turquoise in the center with stamped designs and a bail. This pendant measures 3 inches.
The Sonoran Turquoise Varies in each pendant.
History of Native American Jewelry
Native American Jewelry has a unique past. Knowing that story is the key to understanding the Indian jewelry styles of today. Native Americans started making silver jewelry in the late 1800’s when the Spaniards came, making jewelry, ornaments for their horses and trinkets for barter.
Native American jewelry made before this time provided the foundation for their own style. There is significant evidence of beaded Turquoise jewelry. Turquoise and shell, paired with feathers would be strung and hung from every place possible. Metal was rare but not out of the picture entirely. Some archeologists suggest gold and silver was worked by certain tribes in North America during this ancient time but its use would have been limited. Gold and Silver was worked by the Native peoples of Mexico and Central America since the time of the Aztec, so its possible Native American tribes living in the southwest region could be aware of metal working in some way much earlier than the Spanish arrival.