Inv# DSSSB.L1902

Guarantee:  Sterling Silver ‘squash blossom’ earrings hand-made by Diné [Navajo] silversmith Doris Smallcanyon.  Total length: 3” [approx.]. Weight: 6.8 grams [approx.]. This earring pair was sold with full disclosure of minor hand-crafting imperfections as described in “Description” & “Hand Crafting Imperfections”.

Total length [approximate]: 3” including ear wires

SALE Price was adjusted consistent with disclosed hand-crafting imperfections—see “Hand-crafting Imperfections” below:  Price includes: FREE extra Sterling ear wires;  FREE insured 1st Class Mail ship [48 states + DC].

Description:  Sterling Silver ear wire suspends a 2.3” long, hand-formed Sterling Silver squash blossom with fluted end. Hand-crafting imperfections. As a result of the challenging & intricate hand-crafting process, there can be minor variations in finished earrings.  Close examination of this earring pair reveals several minor imperfections resulting from the soldering process in assembling the silver pieces forming the squash blossom: (1) the solder seam on the top silver bead is slightly tilted instead of being precisely horizontal; (2) on 1 earring, the ‘trumpet’ is soldered slightly off center to the bottom of the silver bead. In our view, those hand-crafting imperfections do NOT adversely affect the ‘hang’, aesthetics, or durability of the earrings. Nonetheless, our low sale price reflects those imperfections. PLEASE closely examine the photos where we point out the minor imperfections. DO NOT BUY these earrings if you want machine-made perfection, or if those minor imperfections would detract from your enjoyment of the earrings! If you buy them, it is with full knowledge of their imperfections—they will NOT be returnable or refundable.

Materials: Sterling Silver ear wires; Sterling Silver hand-formed squash blossom form.

Dimensions:

• Total length including earring wire: 3.0”

• Length of silver squash blossom dangle without earring wire:  2.3”

• Widest size of squash blossom form is the fluted end:  0.5”

Weight:  6.8 grams

Comments: 

These delightful hand-crafted sterling silver squash blossom earrings by Doris Smallcanyon sway & reflect light as you move!  In conceiving, designing & crafting her jewelry, Doris Smallcanyon uses knowledge handed down by generations of her Dine’ ancestors.   After envisioning each earring design, she hand cuts sterling sheet silver, hand-forms the squash blossom ‘trumpets’, hand-solders, & hand-finishes the silver.  Take a moment & really think about the time involved & the difficulty of hand-shaping & soldering those silver squash blossoms! 

The jewelry market is now flooded with fake “American Indian” jewelry that in fact originates in foreign countries and is either hand-made in ‘sweat shops’ or mass-produced by machines in factories.  Many Native American artists rely on sale of their unique art to support their families. So by purchasing Native American hand-made jewelry & other arts you also not only help support the artists’ families but also ensure preservation of their unique culture and artistic skills so they endure for many more generations.