Kobe Martinez 8-Stone Carico Lake Turquoise Butterfly Necklace, Navajo Sterling Silver

A Navajo butterfly necklace set with eight Carico Lake turquoise stones, handmade in sterling silver by Kobe Martinez.

The piece. A cluster of three turquoise stones, two ovals over a smaller round one, hangs from the chain and holds a silver butterfly below it. The butterfly has four turquoise wings and an oval body stone wrapped in a twisted rope border, with two twisted-wire antennae tipped in silver balls and silver dot accents between the stones. Each stone sits in its own smooth bezel, and the pendant hangs from an oxidized sterling chain.

The stones. Carico Lake turquoise, 8 stones, bezel set, in sky blue to blue-green with brown matrix. Natural turquoise varies in color and matrix, so every stone is a little different.

The artist. Kobe Martinez is a Navajo silversmith. The pendant carries the artist's hallmark, "KM", 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. The turquoise pendant on a silver chain remains one of the tradition's most-worn pieces.

Details

• Artist: Kobe Martinez, Navajo
• Hallmark: KM, Sterling
• Stone: Carico Lake turquoise, 8 stones (3 top + 5 butterfly), bezel set
• Metal: Sterling silver
• Pendant size: 2 x 2 inches
• Chain: 18 inches
• Weight: 27.3 grams
• Condition: New

Questions buyers ask

Is this authentic Native American jewelry? Yes. It was handmade by Navajo artist Kobe Martinez and carries the artist's hallmark.

How long is the chain? The chain is 18 inches, which usually sits at or just below the collarbone.

How big is the pendant? The butterfly pendant measures 2 by 2 inches.

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# NK-T203