Some of the most colorful figures of American history are the Native American Indians. Their colorful headdresses of feathers and their clothing of skin and leather were often set off by their beautiful Navajo jewelry which is sought after even today. The Navajos are one of the Indian tribes who lived across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Excavations made in Arizona have revealed that the adornment made of turquoise and shells were used by these Native Indians even as early as 200 BC. They enjoyed wearing ornaments of beads and carved shells, bone and wood.
The exquisite, highly polished beads they made into necklaces were named 'Heishi', meaning shell necklace, and all this was from materials found in nature. These beads are flawless, even though they are hand-crafted, and perfect beyond belief. These are precious to many collectors.
The beautiful blue colored turquoise was a favorite with them. The Native Indians referred to it as the 'Sky Stone' because of the color. They believed it brought them good luck and happiness. Silver with turquoise are the typical materials used in their ornaments.
This tribe was the pioneer among the natives in learning to make ornaments in silver. It is an art that one of them named, Atsidi Sani (Old Smith) learnt from the Mexicans and he taught his four sons the unique craftsmanship. They, in turn, passed on silver crafting to others. Coins and other silver artifacts were often melted to make jewelry. They were the first to use die casting on silver which often depicted pictures of animals.
In later years, they stated using onyx, coral and carnelian also in their Gemstone Necklaces. In addition to necklaces, they made other ornaments such as rings, earrings, buckles and armlets.
Early Navajo artisans borrowed ideas from the Spanish. One of the typical ornaments was the crescent shaped pendant. They clustered small stones together to look like flowers. These came to be known as 'Squash Blossom' ornaments. Another innovative technique of the Navajos was die-casting on silver.
It was only in the 1900s that the Navajo started making ornaments for commercial purposes. This art has been handed over from generation to generation and the Native Indians are justifiably proud of their excellence in the art of Navajo jewelry making.
Excavations made in Arizona have revealed that the adornment made of turquoise and shells were used by these Native Indians even as early as 200 BC. They enjoyed wearing ornaments of beads and carved shells, bone and wood.
The exquisite, highly polished beads they made into necklaces were named 'Heishi', meaning shell necklace, and all this was from materials found in nature. These beads are flawless, even though they are hand-crafted, and perfect beyond belief. These are precious to many collectors.
The beautiful blue colored turquoise was a favorite with them. The Native Indians referred to it as the 'Sky Stone' because of the color. They believed it brought them good luck and happiness. Silver with turquoise are the typical materials used in their ornaments.
This tribe was the pioneer among the natives in learning to make ornaments in silver. It is an art that one of them named, Atsidi Sani (Old Smith) learnt from the Mexicans and he taught his four sons the unique craftsmanship. They, in turn, passed on silver crafting to others. Coins and other silver artifacts were often melted to make jewelry. They were the first to use die casting on silver which often depicted pictures of animals.
In later years, they stated using onyx, coral and carnelian also in their Gemstone Necklaces. In addition to necklaces, they made other ornaments such as rings, earrings, buckles and armlets.
Early Navajo artisans borrowed ideas from the Spanish. One of the typical ornaments was the crescent shaped pendant. They clustered small stones together to look like flowers. These came to be known as 'Squash Blossom' ornaments. Another innovative technique of the Navajos was die-casting on silver.
It was only in the 1900s that the Navajo started making ornaments for commercial purposes. This art has been handed over from generation to generation and the Native Indians are justifiably proud of their excellence in the art of Navajo jewelry making.
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Traveling Treasures offers great prices on 1950s jewelry. Check out their website to learn more! (http://www.travelingtreasuresonline.com/)
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