Zuni sterling turquoise needlepoint pendant/brooch. Does anyone know the maker?

Does anyone recognize the maker's name on this Zuni pendant/brooch?
R. Gehachu? R.G. Chachu? And any background info?
Thanks for looking.

 

Possibly Ruby Gchachu from my internet search ... not from an actual book though.

 

Here's one on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pin-Pendant...tive-American-R-G-Chachu-Signed-/391525686623

 

No background history, though. Any Jewelry, I like the setting and the stones in yours a lot more!

 

Here is one similar to yours
http://www.milkywayjewels.com/necklaces/DJ118279.html

 

Thanks quirkygirl, wonderful! I thought it would be 60s, judging from the different shades of turquoise, not picture perfect like more recent ones. I like that.

Thanks, Lucille. And I like the stones in mine better too.

 

Quirky nailed it with her find. Ruby Gchachu is listed, written up, in Wright's Hallmarks of the Southwest , p. 70:

"Gchachu, Ruby Silversmith/Lapidarist: Specializes in needlepoint. Began producing in 1960."

There is quite a family of Gchachu silversmiths.

--- Susan

 

Thank you Susan.
I bought a lot of three vintage sterling silver and gemstone necklaces, together they were about half the eBay price for this one. The other two are worth a bit too. One of those classic cases where the seller and the other bidders had no idea what kind of jewellery it was.

 

Gotta love sleepers! Someone bought this as a souvenir of a trip to Arizona or New Mexico, and the grandchildren hadn't a clue.

 

I believe the lower part of this pendant is the way the turqoise is set is called Needlepoint.

 

sorry, just read Quirkeygirls link. Already identified as Needlepoint.

 

It is also in the title. I sold a lot of Zuni needlepoint in the very distant past.

 

In defense of the grandchildren, it must have been difficult to keep up with grandma's travels, the other ones were from Peru and Nepal (the genuine stuff). All filthy, at first I couldn't even open the clasp of this one. I usually don't clean the things I sell thoroughly, because some collectors prefer old patina, but there are times I really have to do more.