Sheila Becenti 11-Stone Sonoran Mountain Turquoise Cluster Pendant, Navajo Sterling Silver

A 2.25-inch Navajo cluster pendant set with eleven Sonoran Mountain turquoise stones, handmade in sterling silver by Sheila Becenti.

The piece. An oval center stone is ringed by ten smaller hand-cut stones, each in its own bezel, with silver dot accents between them and an oxidized background that makes the blues stand out. The stones range from soft sky blue to deep blue, several with golden-brown matrix. A wide silver bail sits on a sturdy jump ring.

The stone. Sonoran Mountain turquoise comes from Sonora, Mexico, home to the country's main turquoise deposits. It is known for blue to blue-green color, often with dark or golden matrix, so every stone in this cluster is a little different.

The artist. Sheila Becenti is a Navajo silversmith. The back of this pendant is stamped with her hallmark, "Sheila", and "Sterling".

Navajo tradition. Navajo (Diné) silversmithing is a living art form more than 150 years old. Navajo smiths learned metalwork from Mexican plateros in the mid-1800s, and by the 1880s they were setting turquoise in hand-worked silver. Cluster work like this, gathering many small stones into one design, is one of the tradition's signature styles.

Details

• Artist: Sheila Becenti, Navajo
• Hallmark: Sheila, Sterling
• Stone: Sonoran Mountain turquoise, 11 stones
• Metal: 925 sterling silver, oxidized finish
• Size: 2.25 inches
• Weight: 17.2 grams

Questions buyers ask

Is this authentic Native American jewelry? Yes. It was handmade by Navajo artist Sheila Becenti and carries her hallmark.

Where is Sonoran Mountain turquoise from? Sonora, Mexico.

How do I care for it? Put it on last and take it off first. Wipe with a soft dry cloth and keep it away from lotion, perfume, water and ultrasonic cleaners.

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Item# PD-T131