Zuni Genuine Turquoise Tufa Cast Sterling Silver Lizard Broach Pin.

What a work of art! This Zuni Genuine Turquoise Tufa Cast Sterling Silver Lizard Broach Pin features the tufa cast image of a lizard in shining Sterling Silver. This one has been inlaid with skillfully hand cut stones of genuine Turquoise and other stones like Lapis, Jet and Coral. This Turquoise Lizard Broach is 7/8" by 1-1/8". Stamped Sterling and signed by the Zuni artist.

This jewelry comes from one of the leading trading posts in the heart of the Indian Nation. Established over 35 years ago, the owners recently retired and liquidated $200,000 wholesale ($450,000 retail) of their inventory to Alltribes. They worked with some of the best Navajo and Zuni jewelers and kept to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. This jewelry features unique designs and quality stones. It was made before the price of silver went up and will have lower prices.

There are many legends about Turquoise; The Pima consider it to bring good fortune and strength and that it helped overcome illness. The Zuni believe that blue turquoise was male and of the sky and green turquoise was female and of the earth. Pueblo Indians thought that its color was stolen from the sky. In Hopi legend the lizard who travels between the above and the below, excretes turquoise and that the stone can hold back floods. The Apache felt that turquoise on a gun or bow made it shoot straight. The Navajo consider it as good fortune to wear and believe it could appease the Wind Spirit.

We understand the true value and nature of hand-crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it’s important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item. CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC