The Navajo Nation is the largest Southwest Native American tribes. They have been making silver and turquoise ornamentation since the early fifteenth century. Some sources will tell you that they learned their skills from the Spanish after seeing the decorations on saddles and soldiers who came to find gold and silver. Others believe that they were self taught with some input from neighboring tribes. Either way, the Navajo Jewelry found today has its foundation in early American history.
Taking the first step by copying the decorations they admired on the tack and clothing displayed by the Spaniards they developed belts and necklaces from silver medallions. Their skill at doing this soon allowed them to trade the pieces for other items they needed for survival. They exchanged goods with both Native American Tribes and the white men who passed through their lands.
They soon became expert silversmiths using forges of their own design and were able to produce the pieces faster by melting the silver and pounding it into shape prior to creating the piece they were making. At this point they were still using the silver plugs acquired from trading with travelers and settlers. They were melted down and either hammered into shape or poured into sand or stone casts to create basic forms.
The popularity of these pieces has had up and down periods sometimes led by fashions preferred in Holly Wood, California. Other times it has been helped by celebrities in the fashion market. Many of the most recognized pieces consist of distinctively bold silver designs containing a large gem stone. Turquoise is probably the most recognizable but they often used coral too.
Jewelers today often arrange the stones in the form of animals or craft the silver into them for ear rings or broaches. They have also branched to other gem stones like opals and mother of pearl. The quality of the work when created by authentic Native American artists mirrors the work of their ancestors in beauty and design.
Another design method is the art of using die casts that imprint shapes into the silver after it has been processed. The artist has metal dies that are imprinted with floral, animal or other designs and uses them by placing them on the silver and striking them with a hammer to stamp the shapes into the silver. The masters can create crisp outlines that will last forever.
This style of ornamentation can prove to be rather expensive if the artists are authentic Native American designers. Their work is created in sterling silver and can contain gems and stones that have a wide range in value on the open market. They may also prove to be the most durable pieces available for purchase. Much of the cost is calculated by artist name and actual time consumed in creating the piece.
Whether you prefer to wear items that are subtly beautiful or bold and eye catching you will find something that appeals to you in this field of fashion. The stones and gems used to inlay the silver will enhance the appearance of the bracelet or necklace as well as the person who is wearing it. Every piece is designed to be unique and special in its own right.
Taking the first step by copying the decorations they admired on the tack and clothing displayed by the Spaniards they developed belts and necklaces from silver medallions. Their skill at doing this soon allowed them to trade the pieces for other items they needed for survival. They exchanged goods with both Native American Tribes and the white men who passed through their lands.
They soon became expert silversmiths using forges of their own design and were able to produce the pieces faster by melting the silver and pounding it into shape prior to creating the piece they were making. At this point they were still using the silver plugs acquired from trading with travelers and settlers. They were melted down and either hammered into shape or poured into sand or stone casts to create basic forms.
The popularity of these pieces has had up and down periods sometimes led by fashions preferred in Holly Wood, California. Other times it has been helped by celebrities in the fashion market. Many of the most recognized pieces consist of distinctively bold silver designs containing a large gem stone. Turquoise is probably the most recognizable but they often used coral too.
Jewelers today often arrange the stones in the form of animals or craft the silver into them for ear rings or broaches. They have also branched to other gem stones like opals and mother of pearl. The quality of the work when created by authentic Native American artists mirrors the work of their ancestors in beauty and design.
Another design method is the art of using die casts that imprint shapes into the silver after it has been processed. The artist has metal dies that are imprinted with floral, animal or other designs and uses them by placing them on the silver and striking them with a hammer to stamp the shapes into the silver. The masters can create crisp outlines that will last forever.
This style of ornamentation can prove to be rather expensive if the artists are authentic Native American designers. Their work is created in sterling silver and can contain gems and stones that have a wide range in value on the open market. They may also prove to be the most durable pieces available for purchase. Much of the cost is calculated by artist name and actual time consumed in creating the piece.
Whether you prefer to wear items that are subtly beautiful or bold and eye catching you will find something that appeals to you in this field of fashion. The stones and gems used to inlay the silver will enhance the appearance of the bracelet or necklace as well as the person who is wearing it. Every piece is designed to be unique and special in its own right.
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