Memo to tourists visiting Arizona and the northern part of New Mexico! That lovely long turquoise necklace you have been admiring in the window of that Indian Trading Post for nearly 10 minutes is actually called a “Squash Blossom” necklace, not a long turquoise necklace. But that’s okay because “95 percent” of the time the “Squash Blossom” is the symbol of Indian jewelry, and it’s been that way as early as “200 B.C.” And the mineral deposits of turquoise, in order to make the long turquoise necklace, are limited mostly to these two geographical areas of the southwest.
Oh, you might find some turquoise in South America too!
Indian Tribes and a Long Turquoise Necklace
The Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo and Navajo Indian Tribes were first to see the possibility of a gold mine in the production of turquoise and begin to develop the skills, designs, and talents to become first-class silversmiths. Actually after World War II, many tribal members were given the funds and training from the government; and suddenly varied techniques were attained, and all you could see down the road were blue skies and green lights; ergo, the “long turquoise necklace” aka “Squash Blossom” became the hot commodity folks wanted to see, put around their necks, and buy.
The Cornerstone of Indian Jewelry and Long Turquoise Necklace
Without question when Indian jewelry is mentioned the long turquoise necklace is the symbol that creates all the “Oohs and Aahs” at a party or professional function. The beauty of the long term necklace has always been the cornerstone of nearly all Indian jewelry collections. Yet if you were to ask a person who owns a long turquoise necklace if they know the history or meaning of the long turquoise necklace, they probably wouldn’t have a clue.
It’s not a known fact but the early long turquoise necklace beads were round, not very attractive and took on the appearance of pomegranate seeds. In some cases, dimes and quarters were attached to the “silver shank” of the long turquoise necklace to fill the string. In recent times the long turquoise necklace has been made by the Navajo Tribe.
“Fake” long turquoise necklace and “synthetic” long turquoise necklace are found in Indian jewelry made in foreign countries. Occasionally, a long turquoise necklace will be colored and sold. Most long turquoise necklace values can change, so be diligent.