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.
The earliest efforts of these crafts men were tailored after the medallions found on the Spaniards horses. They soon developed a market for their wares with their own tribes and that market eventually grew to include other tribes and the European explorers and travelers who were passing through their territory. Their work was highly sought after because of the beautiful accents they were able to develop.
They created a silver forge that improved the look of their pieces and expedited the time spent making them. Many of the necklaces and belts they made were traded to settlers and soldiers for silver plugs that could be melted down for new designs. The plugs became less important when silver sheeting became available. They no longer needed to melt the silver and hammer it flat before starting new projects.
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.
Animals and birds are favorite subjects of the necklaces and ear rings created by these artists. They can be created from pieces of gems placed in the image of the creature or be molded from pure silver in the shape desired. Some artists today use man made gems to decorate their creations. Opals, turquoise, mother of pearl and coral are the most common gems you will see.
There is another technique used by these artists to create unique items. The die cast system uses a solid die that is imprinted on the silver to detail floral or other designs into the body of the item. The masters of this process can strike the die several times in the exact spot creating a deep and crisp appearing image that will endure for a lifetime.
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.
The pieces can be large and showy or small and ornate. What you select is a personal decision but either way you can expect to receive something that you can be proud to wear and display. Many collectors consider them to be family heirlooms.
The earliest efforts of these crafts men were tailored after the medallions found on the Spaniards horses. They soon developed a market for their wares with their own tribes and that market eventually grew to include other tribes and the European explorers and travelers who were passing through their territory. Their work was highly sought after because of the beautiful accents they were able to develop.
They created a silver forge that improved the look of their pieces and expedited the time spent making them. Many of the necklaces and belts they made were traded to settlers and soldiers for silver plugs that could be melted down for new designs. The plugs became less important when silver sheeting became available. They no longer needed to melt the silver and hammer it flat before starting new projects.
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.
Animals and birds are favorite subjects of the necklaces and ear rings created by these artists. They can be created from pieces of gems placed in the image of the creature or be molded from pure silver in the shape desired. Some artists today use man made gems to decorate their creations. Opals, turquoise, mother of pearl and coral are the most common gems you will see.
There is another technique used by these artists to create unique items. The die cast system uses a solid die that is imprinted on the silver to detail floral or other designs into the body of the item. The masters of this process can strike the die several times in the exact spot creating a deep and crisp appearing image that will endure for a lifetime.
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.
The pieces can be large and showy or small and ornate. What you select is a personal decision but either way you can expect to receive something that you can be proud to wear and display. Many collectors consider them to be family heirlooms.