Treasures from Our West: Squash blossom necklace

Originally featured in Points West in Spring 2009

Squash blossom necklace

Native tribes in the American Southwest have created exquisite jewelry for ages. Using mined turquoise, and silver they acquired mostly through trade, craftsmen incorporated their own designs and traditions into the making of their jewelry. Some designs dated thousands of years ago were found etched on the walls of caves; others were creations based on the patterns of nature around them.

The piece shown here is a squash blossom necklace, ca. 1920s – 1930s, what many call the quintessential southwestern jewelry. Silver bead necklaces are often enriched with beads with petal-like additions called “squash blossoms,” that is, “beads that turn out.” Apparently, the origin of the term is a subject of debate and may have been a mistranslation between English, Spanish, or other Southwest tribal language. Even today, handsomely designed, authentic Native squash blossom necklaces continue to have popular appeal.

Squash blossom necklace. Gift of Betty Lou Sheerin. NA.203.1355

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