Help with mark on Native American pendant

Hi, Is anyone familiar with this mark? I checked the art-amerindien.com site and did not see it under pictoral marks or under the M section. Any help with the mark or other sites to check is appreciated. For a second I thought the Sterling stamp might be a name, but I think it is just Sterling weirdly overstamped with Sterling.

This has also been posted on the 2 of ebay's Jewelry Boards, with no replies so far.

Thanks!

 

Did a 'smart' phone place that mark?

 

What's the red substance? Looks like it has a grain to it, and some indentations-not really mineral-like to me but I know zip about jewelry.

 

It's coral.
The Navajo use of coral is a newer addition to their jewelry , but I can't remember exactly when....need more coffee !
The symbol above the sterling looks like a rattlesnake jaw ..meaning strength.

 

Nothing on the picture part of that site either, not even in the unknowns.


http://www.art-amerindien.com/signature_picto-hallmarks.htm

 

Not in Wright's Hallmarks of the Southwest.

--- Susan

 

There are some turquoise pieces with coral coming from other countries, so it may not be NA at all.

 

Thank you all for your comments, and Susan for checking your book and Springfield for checking the website. I had assumed coral and turquoise. It is a hefty, well-made piece and I would be surprised if it's not authentic Native American, but I've been surprised before.

 

From memory, the Navajo started using coral in the 19th C. I've several pieces with that jagged mark, but not the same artist's mark. This does look proper Navajo to me: the quality is there, for one thing.

 

Turquoise is closely associated with Navajo jewelry, but it was not until 1880 that the first turquoise was known to be set in silver. Turquoise became much more readily available in ensuing decades. Coral and other semi-precious stones came into common use around 1900.

( but I'm suggesting the 642's pendant is anywhere near that old..)