Sheila Becenti 6-Stone Sonoran Mountain Turquoise Cluster Pendant, Navajo Sterling Silver

A 2-inch Navajo cluster pendant set with six Sonoran Mountain turquoise stones, handmade in sterling silver by Sheila Becenti.

The piece. A long oval stone runs down the center, framed by a twisted silver rope at the top and a teardrop stone below, with four smaller stones set around it in a flower-like cross. Each stone sits in its own hand-formed bezel, with silver dot accents between them and an oxidized background that makes the turquoise glow. The stones are a bright sky to robin's-egg blue, several with fine brown matrix. A wide brushed silver bail hangs from a sturdy wire loop.

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 several stones into one design, is one of the tradition's signature styles.

Details

• Artist: Sheila Becenti, Navajo
• Hallmark: Sheila, Sterling
• Stone: Sonoran Mountain turquoise, 6 stones
• Metal: 925 sterling silver, oxidized finish
• Size: 2 inches
• Weight: 12.6 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-T132