Authentic Vintage Navajo Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Sterling Silver Necklace

Rare and beautiful late 1960's vintage Navajo necklace featuring 5 large handcarved turquoise pendants hung on a single strand of 50 (6 mm) handmade silver beads with hook and eye closure. Each pendant consists of a large chunky turquoise stone that appears to be from the Sleeping Beauty mine, surrounded by silver rope and scalloped silver borders. Dents and tool marks are visible on the handmade beads. Sterling silver. The length is 16.5". Total weight is 56.2 grams. I prefer the aged patina of the silver and have never polished this necklace with anything other than a soft cloth. AZ artist is unknown. As is common for the period the necklace does not carry a makers mark. I am the original owner of this necklace purchased from the Native American artist. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is one of the most recognizable types of turquoise in the world. The rich, sky blue color and the lack of heavy matrix has made it famous worldwide. Native American jewelry is one of the best and smartest types of jewelry one could collect. The cultural, artistic, and value of this type of jewelry continues to spark the interest of millions of people. This one of a kind art has been the showcase of the southwest for over 100 years and continues to gain popularity to this day.