What is a Squash Blossom Necklace?

A squash blossom necklace is made primarily from silver and turquoise (or other semi-precious stones) and may feature silver beads surrounding beads that look like they are blooming, hence the term “blossom.”  It is said that these blossoms are fashioned after the pomegranate flower, seen on Spanish conquistadors. The horseshoe-shaped Naja is the focal point of any squash blossom necklace, typically strung at the bottom. Squash blossom necklaces predate English contact with Native Americans in the southwestern United States but are thought to be influenced by the Spanish. Squash blossom necklaces date as far back as the 1870s, and have remained fairly consistently popular throughout history. 

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