12MM-19” STERLING BEAD NECKLACE IN PHOTOS IS NOT INCLUDED,BUT CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE ‘NECKLACE’ CATEGORY!

ABOUT NAVAJO ARTIST ‘FREDDY CHARLEY’

Brought up with Navajo traditions, Freddy was born and raised in the heart of the Navajo reservation in the town of Shiprock, New Mexico. He grew up in a large household with many siblings & with his father being deceased, his mother supported the family by weaving Yei-bi-chei rugs. 

Moving to Albuquerque after graduating high school in 1981, Freddy wasn’t always a jeweler, but instead was a Diesel mechanic & worked in this field for roughly 10 years.. But what actually changed his occupation wasn’t until he met his wife when his life’s path took a 360 turn. His wife’s family happened to be in the jewelry business, and his mother-in-law started Freddy out with easier jobs like buffing and polishing and then graduated to then learn how the pieces were put together. Because of his his welding skills in the diesel industry, he then worked his way up to a silversmith position.

As you will see with this pendant, Freddy is inspired by attending different tribal ceremonial dances and specializes in 3 dimensional-one-of-a-kind Kachinas. He can go as traditional Native as it gets, to as contemporary as you want! He is also a goldsmith which can tell you that he is that skilled and advanced.

ABOUT THE ZUNI SHALAKO:

The Shalako, who are believed to have first arrived at Zuni around 1840, retrace the wanderings of the Zunis from the center earth to the modern pueblo. The Shalako kachina is a Zuni ceremonial figure representing the Shalako kachina ceremony, which is a ritual marking the transition from winter to spring and the beginning of the new year. The Shalako are the God's messengers and run back and forth all year long carrying messages, as well as bringing moisture and rain when needed. When they leave, they also carry the Zunis' prayers for rain with them.

The Shalako Ceremony is performed in late November or early December and takes place after the crops are in. This ceremony is the most important event of the year for the Native Zuni people of New Mexico. .The Shalako ceremony is deeply rooted in the Zuni people's connection to the natural world, especially the cycle of seasons and the importance of water for survival. The ritual is enacted to bless the Zuni people for another year. The tablita headdresses on top of the Shalako kachinas show clouds, lightning, arrows.

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THE PENDANT:

This incredibly designed pendant is nothing less than a ‘piece of art’ in metal form. It is created in a tri-sectional design where the 2nd and 3rd sections play a dominant role to the pendant.

If you zoom in on the 2nd tier, you see the amazing detailed work that depicts the “Shalako Mana Kachina”. Her egg shape upper face is somewhat hidden by the horizontally placed feathers, as the face is laid atop of the detailed Tablita headdress that has arrows & the ‘butterfly’ cut out design that’s displayed directly above the face.

The 3rd tier is designed with a more traditional Navajo look, where the ¼ moon shape appliques frame THE most fabulous cut of high grade-natural Pilot Mountain turquoise. This cut would be considered large (2-1/4”) & has not only the most gorgeous turquoise color, but has intense coppery brown matrix..

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THE BALE:

The tapered bale opening has a 13 mm opening, but you do not want to put it on anything larger than say, an 12 mm diameter,(12 mm necklace is shown in photos) since you want the pendant to be able to move on the strand. As far as what length necklace to wear this with, I would keep it on the longer side and wear it with a necklace from a 22” length and longer, because of it’s lengthy 5-1/4” length.

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PRICING IS BASED ON: You are paying for the name of the Artist & his reputation, todays sterling price, the artist’s time, the size and quality of this cut of turquoise, the cost per carat for this type of quality and the amount of carats.. These are all reflected in price.

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SPECIFICS:

ARTIST: Freddy Charley

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Navajo

STONE: Pilot Mountain Turquoise

STONE COLOR: Unique Blue-Coppery Brown Matrix

STONE SIZE: 57.4 mm X 19 mm (Approximately 2.25 " X 3/4") At it’s longest/widest areas

STONE CUT: Free Form

STONE GRADE: Excellent- Natural -Premium-Gem Quality

MEASUREMENTS: 5.25” X 1-7/8” (Bale to Bottom-Widest area is taken on the 2nd tier where the feathers are to the left & right of the Shalako’s face-Measured on the backside)

BALE OPENING: 13 mm (1/2”)

METAL: Sterling Silver

METAL FINISH: Lightly Oxidized/Contemporary Finished backside

WEIGHT: 51 Grams (1.80 Ounces)

BEZEL: Smooth

STYLE: Traditional Navajo- Pilot Mountain Turquoise SHALAKO MANA KACHINA Pendant

HALLMARK: "F Charley/Sterling-On both the backsides of the Shalako & the Turquoise (See last photos)

Come's Gift Boxed
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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:
Because of the price, this will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement (reflected in shipping price).. If you're not home in the day & need it shipped where it can be signed for,please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one. This is for your safety & mine.

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:
*****In order to show all the fine detail, close up photos tend to make the item look much larger & everything also is more magnified .So to get an accurate idea of how big this is, please pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements listed above.

I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color, just so you're not shocked, nor disappointed when you get the piece. Please take into fact that each monitor screen plays an important role in how vibrant or less vibrant as something appears.