Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Posted by Unique Jewelry Guide on July 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Anything surrounding Native American cultures has an undeniable draw for many North Americans. Even if you don’t have a drop of Native American blood in you, there’s something mysterious, magical, and enthralling about their ancient way of life and the elements that help differentiate and define it. Native American jewelry – and especially pieces made with turquoise – are one way we can connect to that lifestyle.
Think about it: when you picture a Native American whose image has been captured in an old photo or painting, an intricate necklace or other piece of jewelry is usually one of the first details that spring to mind. Native craftsmen (and women) had worked with materials such as turquoise long before Europeans arrived, and this centuries-long tradition is still going strong.
If you’ve ever taken a history class, you probably know that there isn’t one collective Native American culture. Each tribe had its own customs and arts and crafts that distinguished it from other tribes. But jewelry was actually a lot more universal than other aspects because tribes frequently traded the materials used to create jewelry with each other. There was – and is – still a great variety in terms of design, but there’s a reason we associate turquoise with Native American jewelry: it’s intertwined in tribes’ legends, lore, and the very fabric of their history. Navajo tribes used it for protection, and one Pueblo legend says that the wind is in search of turquoise when it blows.
Today, Native American jewelry spans everything from traditional to modern designs and can be found in rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, buckles, pendants, and more. Classic designs tend to be inspired by nature – flower and animal designs, for example – while many modern designs include simple lines or geometric shapes. Which appeals to you is a matter of taste, of course, though three things all Native American turquoise jewelry have in common are a fascinating history, legends that include the powers to heal and protect, and flawless natural beauty.
