Inv# DSSSB.L1904

Guarantee: Sterling Silver ‘squash blossom’ earrings by Diné [Navajo] silversmith Doris Smallcanyon. Total length 3.0” [approx.]. Weight: 6.6 grams [approx.]. This earring pair was sold with full disclosure of minor hand-crafting imperfections as described below in “Description” & “Hand Crafting Imperfections”.

Description:  Sterling silver ear wire suspends a 2.3” 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 minor imperfections resulting from the soldering process in assembling the silver pieces forming the squash blossom: (1) the solder seam on the silver bead is not precisely horizontal; (2) on 1 earring the top half of the silver bead is slightly lop-sided, & the ‘trumpet’ is not perfectly centered to the bottom of the silver bead. Our opinion is that those minor hand-crafting imperfections are noticeable only with very close-eye examination and do NOT adversely affect the ‘hang’, aesthetics, or durability of the earrings.  Nonetheless, we set a low sale price reflecting those imperfections. PLEASE closely examine the photos that 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”

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

• Widest size of squash blossom form is the fluted end:  0.6”

Weight:  6.6 grams

Comments:   
Native Americans are not only the first occupants of America—they also are the first American artists as reflected in prehistoric dwellings, petroglyphs, pictographs, paintings, basketry, pottery, foot wear, and clothing. If you appreciate the beauty, skill & spirit of real Native American hand-made jewelry, you will be delighted with these Doris Smallcanyon sterling silver squash blossom earrings that 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 that—not just the time involved—but the difficulty of hand-shaping & soldering those silver squash blossoms! 

The jewelry market is now flooded with fake “American Indian” silver jewelry that in fact originates in foreign countries and is either hand-made in ‘sweat shops’ or is mass-produced by machine in factories.  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 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.