The squash blossom design didn’t become part of Native American culture until after the Europeans settled the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries. Even then, it wasn’t commonly seen until the 19th century (1800’s). It is widely accepted that the Navajo were the first to begin representing the Squash blossom design in their jewelry. However, the exact story is still debated today. My favorite explanation is the Navajo began to use the old discarded horseshoes as jewelry components. These old horseshoes could be easily found near European settlements. Although this is a very popular theory, I’ve yet to come across any proof of a horseshoe in an actual piece of historical jewelry. But still, you must admit that it’s pretty compelling. Later I’ll mention a related version of this theory.
No matter how the squash blossom became part of Native American jewelry history, its importance to turquoise jewelry and all types of Native American jewelry is unquestionable.