He purchase of American Indian Jewelry is a worthwhile investment in so many different ways, both for one's style and one's sense of culture. It is artistically beautiful, is usually hand-made and unique, and often benefits Native Americans who live on reservations and endeavor to sustain their ancestral way of life. Buyers searching for this kind of product will find a variety of options to spruce up their wardrobes, from turquoise rings to topaz bracelets to bolo ties. Available jewelry may be antique or contemporary, composed primarily or metalwork or beads, and come from a variety of tribes, including the Cherokee, Apache, and southwestern tribe.
SOUTHEAST Indian Jewelry originates primarily from the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo peoples; the jewelry from different tribes is very similar because the tribes use most of the same materials. Popular materials include sterling silver, copper, turquoise, coral, beads, shells, ivory, and amber, all of which create beautiful, artistic representations of the natural world and exemplify Native American craftsmanship. In an American Indian jewelry store you might find a Navajo bear claw pendant or a bolo tie with a cow skull or a sterling silver bracelet with exquisite turquoise snakes circling the band. Other popular features are eagles, wolves, and horses, as well as flowers, trees, and water. Many of these animals and natural features hold great cultural and spiritual significance for the artists who include them in their ornaments.
Buying Native American Jewelry can give the buyer a glimpse into a unique and interesting culture with a significant, meaningful history. Each tribe puts its dearest values and most deeply held beliefs into its artwork, creating pieces that show a love of the natural world, a desire for harmony with the earth, and a special appreciation for beauty. Many of the patterns and images they use are highly symbolical, such as feathers showing honor, the owl representing wisdom, or the turtle meaning long life. This is similar to the way the Biblical writers often recognized natural features in the world as metaphors for the spiritual life, for example: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" (Psalm 92:12). Southwest Indian jewelry makers use a vast array of natural symbols to create pieces with meanings that go far beyond silver and topaz.
Southwest Indian jewelry tends to be very colorful and to use many gemstones. A popular example is the squash blossom necklace, which always features a hanging crescent and can be found in a wide range of colors, stones, and styles. Another popular item is the concho belt or belt buckle, usually consisting of stones set in silver. Other standard items include bone chokers, amber pendants, and sterling silver hair clips. These ornaments make lovely gifts for family members and friends, with options for men and women of almost any taste and personality.
If the shopper wants only authentic American Indian jewelry she needs to be careful where she buys, as there are many manufactured products that are not created by Native Americans and are definitely not hand made. To guarantee that a product is genuine, shoppers should determine whether the seller is a member of an Indian arts & crafts society, a certification which ensures fair dealing. The good news is that many American Indian products are now available online, with endless selections and often free shipping. Authentic hand made jewelry tends to be very expensive, but with a little searching a shopper can find high-quality items for reasonable prices and will be satisfied to know that her new accessories are not only fashionable but also meaningful works of art. Furthermore, she will have the opportunity to support artisans, enabling them to continue tribal crafts and honor their heritage.
The Native American arts have been threatened by colonization, assimilation, and oppression, but are still going strong in many parts of the United States and seek to share Indian art with other American cultures. Buyers wishing to honor such artisans should consider purchasing products from sellers who support reservation projects such as those which encourage Native American children to further their educations, provide mentorship programs, and seek to better educational opportunities for children who live on reservations. Some American Indian jewelry stores exist with similar missions in mind, and can be found with a little online research. Also, buyers who are interested in antique or "old pawn" jewelry should consider giving more support to contemporary artisans, as antique items were often obtained in ways unfriendly to various tribal members. Antique items were frequently stolen or simply sold by Native Americans in financial difficulty, who sacrificed valuable cultural artifacts in order to survive; these items might not rest easily in the possession of shoppers concerned with ethnic injustice issues.
Wherever shoppers decide to make purchases, there is an abundance of Southwest Indian jewelry to give a bit of extra style and color to any wardrobe. A turquoise bolo tie can add some flair to a suit; an opal concho belt can accent a casual outfit; sterling silver hair clips can dress up a woman's every-day hair-do. Even children would find joy in Native American ornaments, loving a beaded bracelet or a necklace with a bear claw. Because they are hand-made, no two items are the same, and buyers have the privilege of wearing jewelry crafted with loving attention and a long history of cultural significance. Perhaps this is one more way for various American cultures to learn to respect and honor one another's traditions, values, and special contributions to society.
SOUTHEAST Indian Jewelry originates primarily from the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo peoples; the jewelry from different tribes is very similar because the tribes use most of the same materials. Popular materials include sterling silver, copper, turquoise, coral, beads, shells, ivory, and amber, all of which create beautiful, artistic representations of the natural world and exemplify Native American craftsmanship. In an American Indian jewelry store you might find a Navajo bear claw pendant or a bolo tie with a cow skull or a sterling silver bracelet with exquisite turquoise snakes circling the band. Other popular features are eagles, wolves, and horses, as well as flowers, trees, and water. Many of these animals and natural features hold great cultural and spiritual significance for the artists who include them in their ornaments.
Buying Native American Jewelry can give the buyer a glimpse into a unique and interesting culture with a significant, meaningful history. Each tribe puts its dearest values and most deeply held beliefs into its artwork, creating pieces that show a love of the natural world, a desire for harmony with the earth, and a special appreciation for beauty. Many of the patterns and images they use are highly symbolical, such as feathers showing honor, the owl representing wisdom, or the turtle meaning long life. This is similar to the way the Biblical writers often recognized natural features in the world as metaphors for the spiritual life, for example: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" (Psalm 92:12). Southwest Indian jewelry makers use a vast array of natural symbols to create pieces with meanings that go far beyond silver and topaz.
Southwest Indian jewelry tends to be very colorful and to use many gemstones. A popular example is the squash blossom necklace, which always features a hanging crescent and can be found in a wide range of colors, stones, and styles. Another popular item is the concho belt or belt buckle, usually consisting of stones set in silver. Other standard items include bone chokers, amber pendants, and sterling silver hair clips. These ornaments make lovely gifts for family members and friends, with options for men and women of almost any taste and personality.
If the shopper wants only authentic American Indian jewelry she needs to be careful where she buys, as there are many manufactured products that are not created by Native Americans and are definitely not hand made. To guarantee that a product is genuine, shoppers should determine whether the seller is a member of an Indian arts & crafts society, a certification which ensures fair dealing. The good news is that many American Indian products are now available online, with endless selections and often free shipping. Authentic hand made jewelry tends to be very expensive, but with a little searching a shopper can find high-quality items for reasonable prices and will be satisfied to know that her new accessories are not only fashionable but also meaningful works of art. Furthermore, she will have the opportunity to support artisans, enabling them to continue tribal crafts and honor their heritage.
The Native American arts have been threatened by colonization, assimilation, and oppression, but are still going strong in many parts of the United States and seek to share Indian art with other American cultures. Buyers wishing to honor such artisans should consider purchasing products from sellers who support reservation projects such as those which encourage Native American children to further their educations, provide mentorship programs, and seek to better educational opportunities for children who live on reservations. Some American Indian jewelry stores exist with similar missions in mind, and can be found with a little online research. Also, buyers who are interested in antique or "old pawn" jewelry should consider giving more support to contemporary artisans, as antique items were often obtained in ways unfriendly to various tribal members. Antique items were frequently stolen or simply sold by Native Americans in financial difficulty, who sacrificed valuable cultural artifacts in order to survive; these items might not rest easily in the possession of shoppers concerned with ethnic injustice issues.
Wherever shoppers decide to make purchases, there is an abundance of Southwest Indian jewelry to give a bit of extra style and color to any wardrobe. A turquoise bolo tie can add some flair to a suit; an opal concho belt can accent a casual outfit; sterling silver hair clips can dress up a woman's every-day hair-do. Even children would find joy in Native American ornaments, loving a beaded bracelet or a necklace with a bear claw. Because they are hand-made, no two items are the same, and buyers have the privilege of wearing jewelry crafted with loving attention and a long history of cultural significance. Perhaps this is one more way for various American cultures to learn to respect and honor one another's traditions, values, and special contributions to society.
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