Commonly Asked Queries About Navajo Jewelry Answered

The following article is about Navajo or Native American jewelry pieces. It answers the top queries made about this tribal jewelry.

Native American Jewelry refers to all those items that are used for the personal adornments for the personal use and sale. These beautiful jewelry pieces reflect the cultural diversity and a rich history of the jewelry makers. It is said that in the beginning stages, the tribal groups have copied designs and methods from other neighboring tribes and nations that they used to have trade with and the practice continues even today.

Native American tribes continue to develop distinct aesthetics that are rooted in their culture and traditions. Artists continue to create jewelry pieces for the ceremonies, for personal adornment and for the display on sale and trade. The jewelry that used to be individual identity and a major statement for the tribes started gaining immense popularity.

What is Vintage Native American Jewelry is made up of?

Vintage Native American Jewelry pieces are made up of naturally occurring materials like hardwoods, precious and semi-precious gemstones, vegetal fibers etc. Apart from that, animal materials like teeth hide and bones are used in them. They can be made up of quillwork or beadwork also. Cravers, beaders, lapidaries etc, are the Native American tribes that combine these for creating jewelry pieces. Contemporary Native American jewelry is processed from shells and stones and is computer-fabricated.

What are the most popular forms?

One of the most popular forms of Vintage Navajo Jewelry is Squash Blossom Necklace. Although bracelets and rings are also popular but not as much as squash blossom necklace.  Most of the American jewelry is made up of the strings of plain round silver beads that are interspersed with a more stylish “squash blossoms.”  There is an additional feature: Naja pendant hanging from the center of the strand.

What sort of jewelry Native Americans put on?

Though there are many styles and forms. But, fish and animal bones carved into ornate pendants are the most commonly used ones. To make this, shells, white stones and corals can be chipped into tiny beads for making clothing and necklace decorations. Today, Native American tribes produce beautiful jewelry pieces with the modern precious materials like titanium and gold.