Beyond Turquoise: What Other NA Jewellery Stones You Can Gift Your Valentine

 Presents speak louder than words, and rightly so. Though you will find a wide array of Native American arts and crafts, you may want to find something unique for your special someone who loves all things Native American - like Native American art jewellery. 

While turquoise is the most renowned stone in jewellery pieces created by indigenous people, there are several other precious and semi-precious stones widely used or paired with turquoise to create magnificent necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more. 

Let’s take a look at some of the other stones found in Native American jewellery that you can choose for your beloved someone as Valentine's Day present. 

Coral 

Derived from a colony of marine animals, coral is an organic gem, frequently used by ancient Egyptians in prehistoric times. According to ancient Romans, coral offers protection from harm and cure bites from snakes and scorpios. Originally, European settlers brought the gem to Native Americans from the Mediterranean Sea. Mostly, coral is paired in cabochon form with the most precious stone, that is, turquoise, in Navajo jewelry, including Navajo silver cuff bracelets. It is also inlaid with mother of pearl and jet in Zuni jewelry pieces. 

Mother of Pearl

Mother of pearl is white with delicate iridescent rainbow hues. It is mainly a blend of minerals secreted by oysters, abalone, and mollusk creatures to line their shells for protection against harm, including parasites. While it is commonly found in Zuni pieces, many Navajo inspired jewelry pieces have the mother of pearl paired with other stunning gemstones. 

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue stone with brilliant flecks of gold and silver hues. The stone is mined in western Colorado, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Mongolia, and Russia, but the highest quality stones come from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Argentina. Lapis Lazuli is believed to be one of the first stones worn by native people as jewelry and was prized in ancient Egypt. They believed the stone has magical powers. 

If you want your significant other to feel special on this Valentine’s Day, turn your gaze towards Native American art jewelry that they will cherish forever. From Navajo silver cuff bracelet to Lapis and Mother of Pearl Cluster pendant - every Native American inspired jewelry piece makes an appropriate Valentine’s Day gift. 

Understanding the Features of the Iconic Navajo Art

Art and artists have evolved with the changing trends and followings. The array of artwork available today especially the ones that transcend time beautifully are those which we prefer to look at and cherish constantly. Similar is the Navajo Art that is said to have hailed from the American Southwest where Athabaskan the ancestors of the Navajos were settled around 1400. The first Navajo land was referred to as Dine’tah. They had connected with the Pueblo Indians from whom they learned farming and growing their own food. From the Spaniards learned to ride horses, weave blankets, and other important activities. 

                      

 Navajo art is recognized for its intricate sense of spirituality and environment. For many years the American Indian art has been recognized through the artwork traced among cave paintings and stonework. However, with time, they converted to artwork with fabric, glass, cloth, clay, and silver. Let’s take the Navajo morning blessing art for instance. The composition has an undeniable sense of creativity and freshness including a pop of amazing color combinations that give out radiation of a fresh morning. People who buy this piece tend to feel positive at the start of the day by looking at the beautiful art. Also, Navajo art celebrates the diversity that has existed since the existence of humanity. Moreover, the designs in the artwork are intriguing enough that compliments it’s simplicity at its best. If you happen to get one for your place, you may keep on looking and admiring the beauty of its creation.

There are many interesting types available that have the creative designs of Navajo art on them. You can check out various designs and craftwork in the form of sand paintings, silver metalwork, turquoise, blankets, rugs, pottery, mugs, and baskets. Each symbol made on these surfaces has its own deep meanings such as the Snakes represent healing and rebirth, eagle display the sense of victory and achievement, bear shows powerful emotions, and so on. What makes the artwork special in its own way is its ability to explain the time and traditional items seamlessly in contemporary culture. With the availability of so many variants in mediums, arts, and crafts, buyers can signify the true sense of diversity through the American Indian artwork. The purity lying within the unique piece of artwork is like a meditation for those who have it with them and look at the art every day.

A Wallet Plays A Key Role In Our Lives Be It A Simple One Or A Fancy One

We may not pay too much attention to it in our day to day life, but the truth is, it plays quite an important role in keeping us and our lives organized. The accessory we are referring to is wallet. Yes, a wallet that keeps your beloved credit and debit cards, identity cards, and of course, cash fully secured in one place. Although there are many types available in the market, it all comes down to individual preference. Those who just merely need an accessory to keep essential stuff may go with ordinary wallets. Those who want something that stands out from the crowd may go for more creative ones. For instance, Navajo pattern tri-fold wallet are quite popular at the moment when it comes stylish wallets.

Regardless of your personal preference, there are certain key features that all wallets offer. What are those? Let’s find out.

• The best thing about a wallet is that it offers you convenience. You can do an experiment for a day. Keep all of your key documents, cards, and cash in your pocket freely. You will find that it is extremely hard to take a particular item out without others coming along with it. On some days, you may forget to keep certain documents in your pocket. All of these problems go away when you have a wallet, which keeps all of your essential stuff in one place, fully secured.

• Safety is another thing that a wallet provides. As we mentioned above, carrying all of your key stuff in pockets increases the chances of losing them unknowingly. They may slip out of your pocket without your knowledge. And we all know how frustrating it is to lose key documents. None of this happens when you use a good quality wallet for keeping essential documents and cards.

• Wallets can also work as a fashion accessory. If you like to stand out, you can buy wallets of a particular theme. You can get wallets that go well with your outfits and personality. Designer wallets will perform two functions for you. They will keep your items safe and secured. And along with that, they will help you make a fashion statement.

If interested, you can get Navajo design wallets online. There are websites online that sell everything related to the Navajo tribe. All of their products be it mugs, jewellery, wallets, mouse pads, even face masks are inspired by the tradition Navajo tribe. You will find their wallets extremely cool.

How to Check the Authenticity of a Navajo Rug

 When you go out to buy a Navajo crystal designed rug, you have to be extra careful as many sellers would try to sell you rugs that look like Navajo rugs but aren’t authentic. And since Navajo rugs are relatively expensive, you can’t afford to spend your hard-earned money on fake rugs. That said, spotting a fake rug can be challenging, especially if you are a first-time buyer. 

Here is how you can buy an authentic Navajo rug:

Check the Warp

Warp is one of the key factors that can help you buy a real Native American designer rug. Warp strings form the foundation of the rug and run vertically. Navajo rugs use continuous looms that comprise the genuine warp threads. When checking the rug, run your hand along its side to feel whether the warp threads are running its length or they’ve been cut. In some cases, cut warp threads may be hidden, which makes detecting a fake rug from the real one harder.

Look for Lazy Lines

Lazy lines appear as diagonal lines in the fabric weave. During the weaving process, the weavers tend to work on adjoining sections of the warp, which leads to subtle diagonal lines called lazy lines. A hand-woven Native American designer rug will have these lines in its composition. 

Look for Selvage Lines

Another way to check the authenticity of a Navajo rug is to look for selvage lines, which run along the sides of the rug. These lines are formed when two or more warp threads spiral around each other and then interlaced on the edge of the rug. They enable weavers to maintain a straight edge and give a finished look to the rug. If the rug you are trying to buy has these lines, it is, in all likelihood, an authentic Native American designer rug. 

If you are looking for authentic Navajo rugs, feel free to get in touch with Navajo Artist, which is a renowned online store delivering authentic Navajo crystal designer rugs and other items at the best price possible. Check out their collection today and save yourself from the fake rugs available on the market. 

Coin Purses with Navajo Artwork: The Perfect Gift for Your Mom

Searching for the perfect gift for your mommay sometimes feel a little challenging. With so many options out there, how do you narrow down on that one item that is unique and aesthetically appealing but is more than just another decorative item that goes on her shelf? May I suggest choosing Native American beaded purses? Beautiful Navajo art is imprinted on the purses which lends them uniqueness while allowing your mom to make the perfect style statement! 

Navajo Art

Let’s talk a little about Navajo art, shall we? The artform is associated with Native American Navajo tribes and is a reflection of their cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. You must be acquainted with Navajo rug designs and patterns. Well, originally the artworks were created on animal skin or other natural flat surfaces; the use of tools was minimal. Maybe because the artworks were created free-hand, they always had a raw fluidity and an alluring appeal about them. Pigments from natural elements were used to add the exuberance of colors to the artwork. Take Navajo art on a coin purse for example, the patterns and designs are hard to miss and add some flair to a daily use item! 

For the Navajos, these paintings were not just artwork but complete rituals in themselves. They believed that these painting traditions absorbed negative energies and cleansed the environment. The beginning of this wonderful art form can be traced back to sand paintings but eventually the Navajos started using them to adorn their utilitarian articles. Today, you will find quite a few daily use items embellished with Navajo art. You will find Navajo art on coin purses, wallets, mugs, jewelry, and even face masks, something without which nobody should be stepping out of the house today! These may be newer ideas but the roots are embedded in the cultural traditions of Native Americans. 

Where to Find 

You must be wondering where to find coin purses with authentic Navajo art. I happen to know just the right place. Heard about NAVAJO ARTIST? You should checkout their website. Their coin purses are beautifully imprinted with Navajo artwork. You will find tribal representations of flora, fauna, pottery, dancers, ceremonies and so many other themes. The indigenous charm of Navajo art on a coin purse makes it the perfect gift for your mom. I have picked out 7 designs that I totally adore, you are free to explore their whole gallery and find something else that you like! Here are my favorites:

1. Bearer of Good News 

2. Above and Beyond

3. Circle of Najas 

4. Midwinter Home

5. Nine Day Ceremony

6. Sun Flower 

7. The Wedding Gift 

It’s time to do some gift shopping now. Buy Native American beaded purses at NAVAJO ARTIST!  

Few Things to Know When Storing Your Art Work

 The adage “art is priceless” is most probably correct, and art lovers know why — art is made with passion, love, and a touch of madness. It’s irreconcilable and notably irreplaceable in the sense that you can’t buy the same piece of art with the same feeling, as you would do with a home appliance or car or any other thing. Hence, storing artworks — whether bought from a Native American gallery or an online store — the right way is crucial to keep them unscathed and new throughout the lifespan. Here are a few things to know when storing your precious art pieces:

Avoid direct sunlight

Prolonged exposure to sunlight is likely to deteriorate your paintings and other artworks because of ultraviolet radiation. The colors may fade or lighten on coming in contact with the direct sunlight, especially in watercolor and oil paintings. Even if you have covered them with a UV-protected film, it’s not worth the gamble. So, store or hang your artworks where the sun can’t get to them. 

Store them in a dark, dry, cool place

Considering the damage that the sunlight could cause to your art pieces, the best place to store them is in a cool, dry, and dark place where temperature fluctuation and humidity are minimal. 

Don’t clean your art pieces with soap and water

Because artworks are sensitive to moisture, it’s not a good idea to clean them with water and soap. Should you need to clean your paintings or other pieces of art, use a soft dusting cloth or take them to an art restoration store.

Don’t touch paintings

There’s a reason staff at a Native American gallery always wear cotton gloves when handling paintings and artwork. The natural oil from your palm and fingers can cause a chemical reaction with the oil and chemicals used in the painting, which can damage its color and texture. Plus, touching them may leave your fingerprints, making them look less appealing.

If you want to know more about art care or want to buy art, many online Indian Art galleries can provide you with everything you need to keep your love for art alive and moving. 

Navajo Jewelry: How It All Started & Notable Artists

Jewelry made from turquoise, coral, wood, leather, bone, antler, jet stone, crystal, and the shell has been founded in ancient sites throughout the Americas. In the southwest, the confluence of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures brought metalwork to the Navajo and Pueblo people. Atsidi Sani, old silversmith is believed to be the first Navajo to learn metalworking. He first learned the art of blacksmithing from a Mexican man named NakaiTsosi in the mid-1800s, and then later studied silversmithing around 1865. Check out some gorgeous Navajo silver cuff bracelets!

During the 1870s, other Navajos learned their trade from regional blacksmiths and tinsmiths and used their skills to create items for everyday use, such as bridles, bandolier bags, buttons, and bells, and more. Native American art jewelry soon followed. Slender Maker of silver learned from his brother Atsidi Sani, and became known for his innovation and refinement of the art, especially during the 1880s through the 1890s. His son learned silversmithing and worked for years in his workshop at Olvera Street in Los Angeles. Their pieces are highly valued even today.

Grey Moustache, another notable figure, also learned silversmithing from Atsidi Sani and some of the local smiths. Atsidi Chon, who learned silversmithing from his brother-in-law, Grey Moustache, is thought to be the first Navajo to set turquoise in silver. The skills of silversmithing spread to Zuni and then First Mesa of Hopi in the 1880s. Not long after, traders such as the Fred Harvey Company, Wallace, and many others provided the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Rio Grande Pueblo artists with the raw materials of silver turquoise, shell, jet, and coral to create thousands of pieces for trading posts and the newly developed rail concessions in the southwest. This trade continues to be a huge part of the economy of the region today!

This was a brief insight into the Navajo jewelry making and notable artists who made the work extremely popular throughout America and elsewhere. For more posts on Navajo art and culture, keep checking with us!