Larose Ganadonegro is a Navajo silversmith from whom we have bought many rings, earrings and pendants. Her smithing is clean and precise. Born in 1956, she has been smithing silver for over twenty years. She is best known for her cluster design rings and pendants.

This is a contemporary design in terms of squash blossom necklaces by virtue of its size. While the necklace is rich with set stones, it is not over-sized as is the norm with squash blossom necklaces. This design strips away the extra weight of large-scale silver work and leaves the luxurious aspect of the stones in a size necklace which does not feel like body armor when wearing it. You needn't be six feet tall, nor worry about any pain in your neck from the weight of a heavy necklace in order to wear this piece. It shows all the redeeming stylistic features of a traditional squash blossom necklace (far outstripping most because of its rich set of stones), while eliminating the long length, weight and size which discourages many admirers from actually buying and wearing a squash blossom necklace. The necklace and naja pendant are set with twenty-four stones of natural, untreated Royston turquoise from Nevada and accompanied by a well- matched set of earrings with free-swinging drops.

Hallmarked "L. Ganado" in script and stamped "Sterling" on the back of the naja pendant. Each earring is hallmarked "LG" and stamped ".925" for Sterling on the back of the drop.

Stones in necklace: (16) ovals ranging from 3/8" x 1/4" to 9/16" x 7/16" up the sides; (7) teardrops on the naja pendant ranging from 3/8" x 1/4" to 3/4" x 3/8"; (1) free-swinging teardrop at the heart of the naja 7/16" x 3/16"

Naja pendant: 2" top to bottom; 1 3/4" across

Stones in earrings: (2) ovals 5/16" x 1/4" on posts; (2) ovals 1/2" x 3/8" on free-swinging drops

Total hang of earrings: 1 9/16"

Length: 22" + naja pendant