Navajo Pueblo Cross Silver and Kingman Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Our Navajo Pueblo Cross Silver and Kingman Turquoise Pendant Necklace is a beautiful expression of Southwestern artistry, bringing together traditional symbolism, sculptural silver work, and the distinctive colors of Arizona turquoise. Handmade by a skilled Navajo artisan, the pendant features an open silver crescent framing a delicate double-barred Pueblo cross, crowned by an exquisite Kingman turquoise cabochon. Its brilliant blue-green coloration, threaded with warm caramel and golden-brown matrix, contrasts beautifully with the textured silver. Suspended from a simple black cord, the necklace possesses an understated elegance that allows its unusual design to speak for itself.

The Pueblo cross, often called the dragonfly cross, has a fascinating history in Southwestern Native American jewelry. Double-barred crosses have long appeared in Pueblo artistic traditions, where the dragonfly is associated with water, an especially meaningful presence in the arid Southwest. The surrounding crescent is the traditional Navajo naja, a design with roots in crescent-shaped ornaments found on Spanish and Mexican horse bridles and adopted by Navajo silversmiths during the nineteenth century. Earlier crescent amulets were associated with protection, although the meanings of the naja in Native jewelry vary by maker and context. Together, the two motifs create a beautiful meeting of artistic traditions, connecting centuries of cultural exchange with the individuality of contemporary Navajo craftsmanship.

Kingman turquoise comes from the historic mining district near Kingman, Arizona, an important source of Southwestern turquoise for centuries. Celebrated for its luminous blues, green undertones, and distinctive matrix, Kingman remains commercially produced, although exceptional individual stones are particularly prized. What makes this pendant especially compelling is its creation through the traditional art of tufa casting. Rather than being stamped from sheet silver, the design is carved into a mold of volcanic tufa stone, into which molten sterling silver is poured. Once cooled, the silver is removed and carefully finished by hand, retaining the wonderfully irregular, earthy texture imparted by the stone. The artisan has polished the turquoise to preserve its beautiful natural markings, creating a striking contrast between the vivid cabochon and sculptural silver.

For Jean Marie, jewelry such as this carries a deeply personal connection. Her love of Native American artistry began as a child, traveling with her mother, Philomena, to the Navajo reservations of Arizona. Those experiences inspired a lifelong appreciation for the people, craftsmanship, and traditions behind these remarkable creations. Today, she continues seeking out distinctive pieces and supporting Native artisans throughout the Southwest. Elegant against a white shirt, silk tunic, or flowing Pax Philomena kaftan, this necklace is more than an accessory—it is wearable art, connecting generations of craftsmanship with a story worth carrying forward.

1.75" x 1.75"

Made in New Mexico, USA.

Leather necklace included