The squash blossom necklace is maybe the most recognizable Native American piece of

Squash Blossom Necklace

wearable art. You will find the necklace surrounded by debate. It is speculated that the blossom comes from the pomegranate, but other theories exist. The same is true about the naja. Historians will take you back to the Roman Empire for the inspiration behind the design, while others tell of a Navajo origin. No matter where the designs of the squash blossom came from they are now thought of as Native American. Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artists have all made these spectacular pieces, of course following the influences of their People's preferred style. We have an assortment of these necklaces on our online Trading Post, so make sure you check them out, http://www.perrynulltrading.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=9&q=squash+blossom.

Navajo silversmith Vernon Tracy shares with us some of the steps it takes to turn coin silver into a piece of wearable art. It all starts with 12 half-dollars. Vernon melts the coins into liquid and then pours them into ingots. Then he hammers them into the desired thickness, by heating and hitting, not using a roller. After he turns his silver into the shape and thickness he desires he cuts the pieces into a perfect shape and begins to decorate it with handmade stamps. This cuff is finished with a piece of legendary Number Eight Turquoise, check out his videos to see more of his work http://www.youtube.com/user/jasonatperrynulltrad?ob=0&feature=results_main.

Vernon Tracy - Steps

In Gallup, New Mexico things are done a little differently than, well say Las Vegas where “Pawn Stars” is filmed. When our customers come into the shop it is never a question of, “what would you like to do, pawn it or sell it”. Here we are always pawning and keeping many very valuable pieces of Native American art secure in our oversized “safety deposit boxes”. Over 90% of our customers return for their pawn items.

Pawn Vault

Many places will hold pawn items for the minimum amount of time required by the State of New Mexico. However, we hold items for over a year, and many times much longer than that. Perry Null Trading Company is in the “pawn” business, not the “selling” business. That loyalty keeps our customers returning and recommending us to their circle of family and friends.

Perry looking at Pawn

Eventually, if the pawn item has not been paid for we put the item out for sale, as “dead” pawn. Often it is dead pawn jewelry that attracts many of the buying customers to our Trading Post. These are the items that the locals here in the Gallup, New Mexico area wear. The pictures show the dead pawn pricing process.

Dead Pawn being Priced