Ray Begay, Navajo - Sterling Silver |
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Ray Begay, Navajo N701 - $2,100
plus s/h | ||||||||||||
2 3/4" x 2 1/4" naja. 14 shadowbox squash blossoms 1 1/2" long.
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24 inches end to end. 14 squash blossoms. 10 mm hand finished bench beads strung on foxtail with hook and eye. | |
What is the Squash Blossom Symbol?Corn, squash and beans are the traditional mainstays of the southwestern diet, culture and symbolism and are used in many ways in art and ceremony. The squash blossom represents abundant life. Read more . . . What are Bench Beads?Bench beads are partially manufactured and partially hand made. Usually the halves are machine cut and the silversmith solders the two halves together. Sometimes bench beads are left with a protruding seam but in other cases the seam is sanded down and polished smooth. Then the beads are strung by hand. |
WHAT IS A SHADOWBOX?Shadowbox is an overlay design technique where there is space between the top and bottom layers of sterling silver creating a 3-dimensional shadow effect. The bottom layer is often darkened to enhance the shadowbox effect. |
About Red CoralRed Coral is the common name given to Corallium Rubrum and several related species of marine coral. Red coral is a collection of hundreds of tiny animals living together in a colonies that resemble small leafless bushes growing on dark, rocky seabottom. The coral skeleton is composed hard calcium carbonate, colored in shades of red from pale pink to deep red. It can be semi-translucent to opaque. It is naturally matte, but can be polished to a glassy shine. Red coral is frequently dyed to enhance color and it can also be impregnated with resins or epoxies to fill surface fissures and flaws. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials. The Romans believed coral could protect children from harm, as well as cure bites from snakes and scorpions and diagnose diseases by changing colour. Read more . . . |
About Silver100% solid silver won't tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry - it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish. |
NOTE:
Items in our Vintage Shop are either USED or NEW. They might come from inheritances,
estate sales, private collections, and store liquidations. Many items are brand
new (NOS, New Old Stock) and in perfect condition while others may show tarnish,
scratches and other signs of use. Major issues will be described in detail and
shown in photos. Vintage Shop items are sold as described and are not returnable. |
Horsekeeping
LLC - Definitions of Jewelry Age and Condition © 2015 Horsekeeping LLC © Copyright Information | |
Patina | A dark or colored film of oxidation that forms naturally on metal exposure to air and other elements. It is often valued for its aesthetically pleasing appearance. |
Vintage | 30 years or older. |
NOS | New Old Stock. Retail store inventory from at least 10 years ago. |
Pre-owned | An item that has been used. |