Zuni Indian Turquoise Maiden Sterling Silver Pendant by Wasita.

This Zuni Indian Jewelry Turquoise Maiden Silver Pendant is a fashionable and traditional piece of Zuni Indian jewelry. This pendant has the inlaid image of a Zuni Indian Maiden made from hand cut stones of natural Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Red Coral, Jet, Pink Shell, and Mother of Pearl. The Turquoise, Coral, and other gemstones were inlaid into a Sterling Silver casing and they give this pendant plenty of natural beauty and color. The Indian Jewelry artists of Zuni use Turquoise and Coral to honor the Father Sky and Mother Earth. Suspended from a complimentary chain, this pendant is 2-1/2" long. Signed in script by the Zuni Indian Jewelry artist J. Wasita.

The Zuni Indians learned to silversmith from the Navajo in the early 1870's. The Zuni, because they had permanent homes unlike the nomadic Navajo, were able to use many tools that the Navajo could not easily carry with them. With the lapidary wheels they began cutting stones and using the silver to hold their stones in patterns. Today, Zuni silversmiths are known for their lapidary skills. Both channel inlay (using precisely cut stones set on silver to form figures and designs) and cluster and needlepoint (setting small, similarly cut stones in geometric patterns) are traditional Zuni styles.

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