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. 

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!

A Brief Insight into Navajo Jewelry

Though the history of Navajo jewelry is nearly 12,000 years old, it first gained attention in the 1850s when Atsidi Sani, the first Native American silversmith, impressed everyone with his magnificent work that included conchos, beaded Native American bracelets, and a variety of other jewelry items. Turquoise was later used in combination with silver, somewhere in the 1900s, by Atsidi Chon, another prominent figure in Native American jewelry making. Since then, silver and turquoise have been one of the most important and prominent parts of Native American jewelry crafting!

The motifs commonly found in Navajo Indian jewelry and art items often include flowers, leaves, beads, and hand stamp work. Also, the stones used in them are usually large, chunky, but beautiful and make you fall in love with them. Made up of beaded silver, the squash blossom necklace by the Navajo is the most popular and unique piece of jewelry made by the Native American tribe and since the late 19th century, these necklaces have literally dominated the Navajo jewelry style. Not to forget the gorgeous Naja pendant (in the shape of an inverted crescent) that gives the finishing touch. The squash blossom necklaces are popular – not only among Native American jewelry but in the whole necklace industry!

While the Zuni, another Native American tribe, is credited to first perfected Inlay style jewelry, they are Navajo Indians who have become some of the most prolific inlayers around. The design of inlay generally starts with a piece of jewelry, generally in Sterling Silver, with channels or voids that allow the piece to be inlaid with numerous color combinations and gemstone cuts. 
If you are a fan of the Navajo Indian jewelry and art or looking for beaded Native American bracelets, shop from the best stores online and bring this centuries-old cultural heritage to your wardrobe.

Beads Help Tell the Story of Ancient Native Americans

Beads have stood the test of time lasting, in some cases, for thousands of years. In prehistoric times, the descendants of Native Americans used the Native American beaded cuff bracelet and other types of beads as adornment in jewelry as well as a way to trade. The way the beads are crafted also said a lot about the methods and culture of the people of the time.

• The History Of The Native American Beads

Something more certain is the fact that beads have a long history with Native American people. From the materials they used to how the beads were incorporated in their daily lives, everything tells a story. Some tribes like the Navajo have “story bead” necklaces and also Navajo silver cuff bracelet where symbols and figures were carved into flat pieces of turquoise or some other type of stone, and strung with other beads. Mothers of the Native Americans then used the necklaces to illustrate stories and handed down from generation to generation.

• Materials Used In Making Beads

Most of the Native American beads were made from wood and bone. The materials were sturdy and long-lasting. The beads were also easily fashioned and carved into different styles and designs. Semi-precious stones like turquoise were and still are often used in making Native America jewelry, along with shells that are also another popular material in crafting beads for adornment purposes.

• The Belief Behind Beads

In early days, some tribes believed that fashioning the beads was a sacred task. In others, it was found that only the women were allowed to create the beads. Regardless of who could or could not make the beads, there were a variety of processes that could be used.

Today, beads hold a fascination for many hobbyists. It is not only because of the history that the beads have but also because of the vast array of choices available. The white settlers, glass beads and metals like copper and silver are now incorporated into jewelry design, which also makes beads a popular part of jewelry.

Pick Exquisite Native American Art Jewelry Online

“Jewelry is like the perfect spice- it always complements what’s already there.” - Diane Von Furstenberg

Jewelry is a way of keeping memories alive. Additionally, it is one of the most transformative things one can wear. In case, you agree with the same, buy Native American art jewelry for your sweet grandmother and gift her something unique this birthday. How about buying a Navajo sterling silver bracelet? If your dearest granny loves donning sterling silver jewelry prettified with Navajo art, rest assured she would jump with joy after receiving this priceless gift. So, if you think you have found the perfect present, check the website of Navajo Artist without further ado!

Located in Gallup, New Mexico, close to the heartland of the Navajo reservation, Navajo Artist is the ultimate spot to purchase Native American art jewelry online. Sterling silver bracelet lovers, you will find a massive collection of Navajo silver cuff bracelets perfect to be paired with every type of clothing. So, if you have been looking for Navajo silver cuff bracelet range on the internet for days and months, now you can check at the right source. Whether you want “Sun Flower” Navajo art large cuff bracelet or the one with the “Bearer of Good News” Navajo art, rest assured you will love everything at this well-recognized site.

So make your pick right away!

Get The Best Native American Indian Jewelry Online At Navajo Artist

In search of a perfect gift for your best friend? Do you want to present her something that she would love to possess? If so, you can think about gifting her elegant Native American Indian jewelry. Buying a finely designed bracelet would be the ideal gift for your special friend. Bracelets are quite loved because they go well with most of the clothing options and enhance the overall appearance in a significant manner. Owing to the popular demand, Native American Indian bracelets are offered in numerous sizes as well as material types. You can check the site of Navajo Artist to find best Native American Indian jewelry online at reasonable rates.

Backed by a vast collection of mugs, coin purses, wallets and other options, Navajo Artist is the ultimate destination to purchase superior artistic pieces. Known for its top-quality range, this famous online shop is located in Gallup, New Mexico, close to the heartland of the Navajo reservation. What’s best about this popular one-stop destination is that it provides products made from superior quality materials and ensures their prompt delivery. Appreciated for its excellent customer services and affordable rates, Navajo Artist is a name that offers pure artwork.

So, if you want to get the best offer for Navajo silver cuff bracelet as well as other jewelry options, don’t waste any more time. Browse the website and place your order right away!