Searching through google to know all about traditional and native American jewelry? You have knocked down the right page. In this article, we will make your near and dear to every inch of traditional Navajo jewelry.
Do you want to bring a glimmer to your life? Well, then, jewelry is the right solution. To your astonishment, it is not just the modern era thing. Wondering what we are talking about? Jewelry came before the rinderpest. If you notice, even ancient history talks about stones and metals. Evidence from that time depicts that women were keen to wear different metals as jewelry pieces. Therefore, it is indubitably true that jewelry is many moons ago thing. However, it has evolved a lot since then. And, when we talk about jewelry, how can we not talk about traditional Navajo jewelry? Gaping, why are we accentuating Navajo jewelry? Come along and clear the air!
The Native American Jewelry?
Usually, when we think of jewelry, we imagine necklaces, rings, earrings, pins, bracelets, etc. Native American jewelry, aka the traditional Navajo jewelry, also includes the same. Then, what is so special about this?
Traditional Navajo jewelry is made by the native people of the United States. It generally reflects the history, culture, and diversity of the makers. However, the tribal groups often borrow and copy methods and designs from neighboring countries or tribes. And they continue this practice. Native American tribes still generate unique aesthetics based on their creative viewpoints and cultural practices. Artists can make jewelry for personal use, religious rituals, public display, or commerce.
Without written languages, ornamentation became an essential part of communication. Navajo jewelry continues to be a significant declaration of the tribe and personal identity.
The Material Of Native American Jewelry
Native American jewelry can be produced from naturally occurring materials such as metals, vegetal fibers, hardwoods, or precious and semi-precious gemstones. Further, animal materials, such as teeth, bones, and leather, or man-made materials (beading and quillwork), can be used to curate authentic Navajo jewelry. Metalsmiths, carvers, beaders, and lapidaries mix various elements to make jewelry. Contemporary Native American jewelry spans from hand-quarried stones and shells to computer-fabricated steel and titanium jewelry.
How To Identify Native American Jewelry?
American Indian artisans only utilize high-quality stones and metals in their jewelry. A detailed examination of the craftsmanship might sometimes expose a fake piece. Further, a genuine item will have no wavering lines or asymmetrical patterns, well-cut stones of consistent size, and no clear glue between the metal and stone.
Keep an eye out for genuine silver jewelry as opposed to silver-plated jewelry. Holding a tiny magnet to the object is an easy method to identify the difference. The magnet will not attract genuine sterling silver. Silver-plated items include magnetic nickel.
Apart from these, also incorporate the following while buying authentic Navajo jewelry.
Traditional Navajo Jewelry Weaving Should Exhibit Quality, Balance, And Design
This is a paramount suggestion because what’s the sense of purchasing a woven fabric if it doesn’t even resemble the beauty of Navajo art? Native American weavings should be purchased considering quality, balance, and design. Pueblo weavers weave the majority of traditional and formal garments out of cotton. On the other hand, Navajo weavers are well known for their traditional attire.
The Native American Jewelry History
Native American jewelry dates back at least 10,000 years, i.e., before the rinderpest. The first people to enter and inhabit the Americas, the Paleo-Indians, used shells, porcupine quills, antlers, stones, bones, feathers, and similar materials to create wearable art. And tribes across the North American continent came to utilize whatever natural materials were available to them to create adornments. Pendants were ornately carved from fish and animal bones, while coral, shells, and stones were chipped to produce beads for garments or necklaces. However, later, animal teeth, silver, turquoise, pearls, copper, carved wood, semi-precious stones, animal claws, and abalone were employed to simulate jewelry. Native American tribes continue to create stunning jewelry using contemporary materials such as gold and titanium.
- Turquoise in American Indian Life: Turquoise is a substance that many civilizations worldwide admire and value, but it is crucial to many southwestern Native American tribes.
- Jewelry and Trade: For many cultures, jewelry was used for more than just decoration or ceremonial purposes. It occupied a significant and vital position in the commercial economy.
- Turquoise, Water, and Sky: The Stone’s Meaning: Did you know that turquoise was once so popular that people created imitation turquoise to sell? The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture has a beautiful explanation of this gem’s often turbulent past.
The Types Of Traditional Navajo Jewelry
The Navajo are the nation’s most prominent Native American tribe. Unsurprisingly, this tribe’s jewelry is the most common and well-known today. When silver was introduced, Navajo jewelry came into its own, and it became even more alluring when turquoise was combined with the priceless white metal. Many early Navajo pieces were made from melted coins. But what styles were made from this technique? And what are the other styles? Do not worry if you have no idea about it. Because in this segment, we will discuss the types of traditional Navajo jewelry in a bit more detail.
Beads Called Heishe (Or Heishi)
In the Santo Domingo Indians’ Eastern Keresan language, “heishe” means “shell bead.” Shell, turquoise, or other polished stones are used to make little tubes or disc-shaped beads. The Santo Domingo bead artisans would hand-grind, drill, and thread these beautiful beads. Although many heishe beads are now manufactured by machine, Santo Domingo artisans still make various forms of traditional Navajo jewelry by hand, including the time-consuming heishe beads.
The Squash Blossom Necklace
Sandcast jewelry, naja pendants, and squash flower necklaces are examples of Native American jewelry presented by the Navajo. Squash blossom necklaces, which date back to the 1870s, are among the most iconic Navajo artifacts. They are made of a beaded silver necklace with squash blossom petal beads and a large naja pendant at the bottom. The colonial Spanish pomegranate ornamental motif inspires the design.
“Overlay” Hopi Jewelry
In the 1930s, the Hopi began creating their specific kind of jewelry known as an inlay. They would carve motifs inspired by traditional baskets, fabrics, and ceramics onto the top silver layer of two similarly shaped pieces of silver. The silversmith would oxidize the bottom silver layer until it turned black, then solder the top layer to the blackened bottom piece, allowing the pattern to shine through. This results in a special and extremely attractive appearance while also ensuring that the finished work of jewelry is incredibly durable.
List Of 12 Styles Of Traditional Navajo Jewelry
As we come to the end of the article, it is essential to glimpse some other styles of native American Navajo jewelry.
- Single Stone
- Multi Stone
- Overlay
- Polished
- Hammer Work
- Cast Work
- Shank Work
- Contemporary
- Row
- Cluster
- Rainbow
- Inlay
With this, we have comprehended all the essential information about traditional Navajo jewelry. But what if you prefer to buy one? Well, if you want to put your hands on the most pleasing quality, switch to the website of Gonavajo. They offer a range of products, including, Navajo-style rugs, rings, pendants, necklaces, belts, earrings, and more. So, why delay? Hurry up before someone else picks your favorite piece.