Navajo Silver Naja with Dangling Kingman Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Our Navajo Silver Naja with Dangling Turquoise Tufa Cast Necklace is a striking expression of traditional Southwestern silversmithing, combining sculptural design with the extraordinary beauty of Kingman turquoise. Handmade by a skilled Navajo artisan, the pendant features a substantial, gracefully curved double naja, its beautifully textured silver surrounding a brilliant blue turquoise cabochon suspended delicately at the center. Dark natural matrix traces the polished stone, creating a captivating contrast with the silver's earthy surface. The open crescent silhouette, distinctive detailing along its upper edge, and freely hanging turquoise give this necklace a remarkable architectural presence.

The naja has a fascinating history extending back centuries. Its crescent shape has roots in Mediterranean ornamentation, eventually reaching the American Southwest through Spanish and Mexican horse bridles. Navajo silversmiths adopted the form during the nineteenth century, transforming it into one of the most recognizable designs in Southwestern jewelry. Although crescent ornaments have historically carried protective associations in some cultures, the naja does not have one universal ceremonial meaning. Turquoise, however, has long held significance among Southwestern Native peoples, with associations including water, sky, health, and protection. The dangling turquoise creates a beautiful visual focal point, moving gently within the silver crescent without requiring a fixed symbolic interpretation.

What makes this particular necklace especially compelling is its creation through the traditional art of tufa casting. Rather than being stamped from sheet silver, the design is carved into volcanic tufa stone, creating a mold into which molten sterling silver is poured. Once cooled, the silver is carefully removed and finished by hand, retaining the distinctive granular texture imparted by the stone. The artisan has contrasted this rugged surface with polished silver accents and a beautifully shaped turquoise cabochon, allowing ancient technique and contemporary artistic expression to coexist.

For Jean Marie, jewelry such as this carries a deeply personal connection. Her appreciation for Native American artistry began during childhood visits to the Pueblos and Reservations of Arizona and New Mexico with her mother, Philomena, who instilled in her a lasting respect for Native craftsmanship. Today, she continues traveling throughout the Southwest, seeking out unusual pieces and supporting the artisans who create them.

This necklace embodies everything she treasures: meaningful history, individual craftsmanship, and exceptional natural materials. Worn against a white shirt, silk tunic, or flowing Pax Philomena kaftan, it becomes wearable sculpture—a distinctive expression of Southwestern artistry to cherish and eventually pass forward.

Made in New Mexico, USA. 

2.5" x 2.5"

Leather Necklace Included