Media: Sterling Silver and Turquoise
Size: 1 and 1/5 inches wide by 1 and 1/2 inches high without bail. With Bail, the piece is 2 and 1/8 inches.
This piece is Navajo inspired “Naja” pendant. The Naja is a common motif in Southwest jewelry and was patterned from the silver forehead bridle pieces of the Mexican horsemen, the Navajo encountered in the 19th century American Southwest. There are a number of traditional Naja styles but this is my own.
The Naja is forged from sterling silver. The cabochon is natural Sleeping Beauty Arizona turquoise hand cut in a freeform cabochon approximately 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch set in silver bezel setting.
The obverse of the Naja displays traditional Navajo stamping.
*The turquoise has been stabilized by the acetone epoxy method for hardness and resistance to chipping
