Vintage Navajo Sterling Silver Bead Necklace with Naja Pendant and 10 Coin Charms
Length: 28 inches
Weight: 230 grams
Navajo beads: 7mm
This museum-worthy vintage Navajo necklace is a striking example of traditional Southwestern silversmithing, notable not only for its craftsmanship but also for its exceptional provenance. The piece weighs a substantial 230 grams and measures 28 inches in length (not including the pendant drop), giving it a strong yet elegant presence when worn.
At the center hangs a classic naja pendant, a crescent-shaped form deeply rooted in Navajo culture and long associated with protection, balance, and spiritual meaning. The naja is set with a beautifully aged green-to-blue turquoise cabochon, most likely Royston turquoise—a highly regarded Nevada stone frequently seen in important vintage Navajo jewelry. Royston turquoise is prized for its natural range of blue and green hues and distinctive matrix. With time, exposure to air, sunlight, and skin oils causes genuine turquoise to oxidize, often developing the soft greenish tone seen here—an unmistakable hallmark of authentic vintage stone.
The necklace is composed of 7mm handmade Navajo bench beads, each formed through a traditional, labor-intensive process. Hand-cut silver discs are domed, drilled, soldered, and polished entirely by hand, resulting in beads that carry subtle variations and organic texture. These are not machine-made beads; they reflect the warmth, weight, and individuality of true artisan workmanship.
The beads are strung on a **handmade foxtail chain**, a detail that significantly enhances both the construction and value of this necklace. In vintage Southwestern jewelry, foxtail chains were favored for their exceptional strength, flexibility, and longevity. Built from intricately interwoven silver links, a foxtail chain provides a durable internal structure that resists stretching and wear, while allowing the necklace to drape fluidly and comfortably. This method required advanced silversmithing skill and considerable time, making it far less common than simple wire or cord stringing. Its use signals a piece made with permanence in mind—intended as an heirloom rather than a decorative accessory.
Adding further depth and symmetry are ten vintage silver coins, five placed on each side of the necklace. The thoughtful arrangement includes two coins from each year, with 1940 positioned toward the top and 1944 toward the bottom, creating visual balance while honoring historical continuity.
What truly sets this necklace apart is its provenance. This piece comes directly from Federico Jimenez’s personal collection. I purchased it from Federico himself after seeing him wearing it at a show—acquired directly from his neck. This personal connection adds an extraordinary layer of authenticity and history, linking the necklace not only to the Navajo tradition, but also to one of the most respected figures in contemporary Southwestern jewelry.
This is a true vintage Navajo necklace, not a reproduction. Every element—the handmade bench beads, foxtail chain construction, symbolic naja, aged Royston turquoise, curated coins, and direct artist provenance—speaks to the cultural significance, craftsmanship, and collector-level importance of the piece.
Listing is for one necklace.