A necklace crafted in silver and turquoise consisting of round silver beads interspersed with beads that look like they are blooming, all leading down to what looks like a horseshoe or, some would say, a crescent moon turned on its side. …
How much is my squash blossom necklace worth?
Note that many handmade, authentic squash blossom necklace sets are easily worth $1,500, with individual squash blossom pendants being worth over $300. If a seller offers you a necklace for a low price, like $100, you can safely assume that the product is a counterfeit.
What is squash blossom?
Squash blossoms (called courgette flowers in Great Britain) are the edible flowers of Cucurbita species, particularly Cucurbita pepo, the species that produces zucchini (courgette), marrow, spaghetti squash, and many other types of squash.
Where did squash blossom jewelry originate?
The Naja symbol – the impressive centerpiece of the squash blossom design – is said to have originated in the Middle East, where the Moors brought horse shoe shaped jewelry with them as a ward against the evil eye into Spain. From here, the Spanish conquistadors brought the symbol to the Navajo, who adopted it.
What is the meaning of a squash blossom necklace?
Were squash blossom necklaces worn for a specific purpose? While the necklaces do not have a specific ceremonial use, they were worn as a symbol of one’s status, wealth and cultural belonging. And the bigger, the better, Dubin said: “You wore your wealth in these cultures—you wore your silver, you wore your turquoise.”
How do you clean an old squash blossom necklace?
Mix a bowl of very hot water with Amonia (1/4 cup) and dishwashing liquid (2-3 TBSP). NO CHLORINE. NO BLEACH. I recommend that you test the end of necklace and brush it a few times and rinse.
Is Native American jewelry disrespectful?
In short, wearing Native patterns or jewelry is fine as long as you bought them from an actual Native designer. And if there’s something that you really shouldn’t be wearing — i.e. a headdress with special religious or tribal significance — the artist you’re buying from will likely let you know.
Which squash blossoms are edible?
The flowers of both summer and winter squash are edible. You can eat them raw, dipped in batter and fried, stuff with cheese and baked, served over pasta or in a quesadilla. You can eat both the male and female flowers.
Can men wear squash blossom?
It began as a Silver Necklace made for men to wear, the Squash Blossoms replicate the Palmegranate, this was a symbol of wealth to the Navajo men. The Squash Blossom was the second generation of a Navajo Mens Necklace, later in years the Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklaces were worn by the Navajo Squaws.
Are squash flowers good for you?
With a rich source of vitamin B9, pumpkin flowers are known to be full of health benefits. From enhancing immunity and treating common cold to making strong bones and improving vision, pumpkin flowers are known to be super-healthy.
What can you do with squash blossoms?
Squash blossoms can be used in a variety of ways that don’t include stuffing and frying. You can add them to vegetable stews, fold into frittatas, grate into other savory veggie pies, top pizzas with them, or add them to quesadilla filling.
What does the Naja mean?
The naja is a crescent-shaped piece that is often worn alone as a pendant or as the center piece of a squash blossom necklace in Southwestern Indian jewelry. … The word “naja” is the Navajo word for “crescent”. Navajo Indian silversmiths began incorporating the naja design into their jewelry.
Is wearing Indian jewelry cultural appropriation?
No, it isn’t. It’s appreciation. If you make cheap copies of someone else’s traditional jewellery to make a buck and take a market away from their artisans, that’s cultural appropriation.