An extraordinary statement in Native American silversmithing, this handcrafted squash blossom necklace by Navajo artist Tom Lewis brings together rare, beautifully patterned Sonoran Gold Turquoise and substantial sterling silver in a piece that is every bit as impressive up close as it is from across the room.

This is the kind of necklace that deserves to be studied—not just worn.

The necklace is constructed with sterling silver beads and a series of large, individually stone-set squash blossom stations arranged symmetrically along both sides. Each blossom showcases a substantial Sonoran Gold Turquoise cabochon framed by layers of detailed sterling silverwork.

The turquoise alone is remarkable.

Sonoran Gold Turquoise is prized for its range of blue, blue-green and green coloration combined with distinctive golden-to-brown matrix. Each stone in this necklace has its own completely individual pattern, giving the piece an incredible amount of natural variation while still creating one cohesive composition.

Some cabochons display vivid turquoise blue with tight, web-like brown matrix, while others transition into deeper blue-green and earthy tones. The result is a collection of stones that feels almost curated stone by stone rather than perfectly matched—and that natural variation is part of what gives this necklace so much character.

The Squash Blossoms

Running down both sides are eight prominent stone-set squash blossom stations, four on each side.

Each large turquoise cabochon is set within a sterling silver bezel and surrounded by an elaborate border of twisted sterling silver wire, applied silver drops, stamped accents and dimensional silver elements.

Extending outward from each setting is the recognizable flared silver blossom form that gives this traditional necklace style its name.

The blossoms are positioned along a double strand of sterling silver beads, giving the necklace substantial visual weight and creating a beautiful rhythm between stone, silver and negative space.

The Naja

At the center is the defining feature of the squash blossom necklace: the naja, the traditional crescent-shaped centerpiece associated with this form of Southwestern Native jewelry.

Museum collections identify the combination of silver beads, squash blossom elements and central crescent-shaped naja as the defining structure of the traditional squash blossom necklace.

Tom Lewis gives the naja on this piece an especially dramatic interpretation.

A large pear-shaped Sonoran Gold Turquoise cabochon anchors the upper center, framed with twisted-wire detailing, dimensional silver drops and stamped accents.

Below the turquoise, multiple sweeping sterling silver arms create the crescent form of the naja.

Rather than ending in a simple silver crescent, the artist finishes the lower portion with four beautifully stamped sterling silver rosettes or concha-style elements—two larger dimensional discs above and two smaller coordinating discs below.

Each is deeply stamped with radiating lines extending outward from a central silver drop, creating an almost sunburst appearance and providing incredible texture and movement.

That combination of a traditional naja silhouette with bold stamped rosette detailing gives this piece a personality all its own.

Exceptional Silverwork

The craftsmanship extends far beyond the turquoise.

Throughout the necklace you can see layers of sterling silver detail:

• Sterling silver bead construction
• Traditional squash blossom elements
• Hand-applied silver drops
• Twisted-wire borders surrounding the turquoise
• Stamped silver accents
• Dimensional silverwork surrounding each stone
• Oxidized recesses that emphasize the depth of the design
• A substantial sterling silver naja
• Deeply stamped radial rosette/concha-style elements
• Traditional hook-and-eye style closure

The oxidized finish nestled into the recessed areas of the silver creates contrast against the raised polished details, giving the necklace the beautifully aged, dimensional appearance associated with traditional Southwestern silverwork.

About the Artist

Artist: Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis is a Navajo silversmith known for substantial sterling silver jewelry and traditional Southwestern forms, including squash blossom necklaces.

What makes this particular piece special is the way Lewis balances the scale of the turquoise with the silverwork surrounding it. The stones are large and dramatic, but the metalwork is substantial enough to frame them rather than disappear behind them.

Every element—from the individual squash blossom stations to the highly detailed naja—feels intentionally constructed as part of one complete composition.

Piece Details

Artist: Tom Lewis
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Jewelry Style: Squash Blossom Necklace
Stone: Genuine Sonoran Gold Turquoise
Metal: Sterling Silver
Centerpiece: Stone-set Naja
Beads: Sterling Silver Beads
Squash Blossoms: Eight prominent stone-set blossom stations
Naja Detail: Large pear-shaped turquoise centerpiece with sweeping silver crescent and stamped rosette/concha-style elements
Construction: Double-strand sterling silver bead necklace with individually set turquoise squash blossom stations
Origin: Native Made

A Collector-Level Statement Piece

There are turquoise necklaces—and then there are pieces that immediately feel like the centerpiece of a collection.

This is one of those pieces.

The combination of large Sonoran Gold cabochons, dramatic natural matrix, substantial sterling silver construction, traditional squash blossom elements and Tom Lewis's highly detailed naja gives this necklace enormous presence.

And while the overall silhouette is undeniably bold, the closer you look, the more there is to appreciate: the tiny silver drops surrounding each stone, the twisted borders, the oxidation between details, the repetition of the sterling beads, and the deeply stamped rosettes completing the naja.

This isn't simply a necklace designed around beautiful turquoise. It is a piece in which stone selection and silversmithing carry equal weight.

Tom Lewis has taken one of the most recognizable forms in Southwestern Native jewelry and given it his own substantial, highly detailed interpretation.

A remarkable piece of Native-made jewelry, a true statement when worn, and a necklace worthy of a serious turquoise or Native American jewelry collection.

Please Note: Genuine Sonoran Gold Turquoise is a natural material. Variations in blue and green coloration, matrix, host-rock inclusion and surface character are inherent to the stone and contribute to the individuality of the piece. Those variations are not imperfections—they are part of what makes every natural turquoise cabochon unique.