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98 Show & Tell Posts Today

Collectors Weekly

While the tradition of making jewelry out of shells and beads dates to prehistoric times, Native American silver-and-turquoise rings, bracelets, pins and the like are a relatively recent phenomenon, going back only as far as the mid-19th century. Pieces from the 1800s, if you can find them, were usually produced for tribal or religious purposes rather than adornment (the tourist trade came later).

When times got tough, people would take their most expendable personal pieces and pawn them, thus spawning the phrase "old pawn" to describe pre-1900 examples of Native American jewelry made of silver. Although there is a lot of jewelry on the market labeled "old pawn," only pieces from the 1800s deserve that label.

One of the controversial aspects of Native American jewelry is the extent to which non-Native traders influenced its production. These traders frequently coached Native American ...

Silver was the base metal for most of these pieces—squash-blossom necklaces were one of the first styles. For stones, Navajo artisans were the first to use turquoise, which was indigenous to the area but was quickly mined out—the best pieces were labeled with the name of their source mine. It wasn’t long before high-quality turquoise was being imported, while softer, poorer-quality stones were often treated with resin to make them hard.

Other tribes developed their own styles. Shell necklaces and mosaics were a specialty of the Pueblo, particularly members of the Santa Domingo tribe. The Zuni were known for their cluster pieces and use of red coral. And the Hopi produced pins and other objects that suggest textile influences.

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Show & Tell

My treasure, (1930's ? Native American Hopi ?) Sterling Silver & Turquiose Bolo Handmade - Native Americanby oldhippee
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1 year ago
Old and New Indian Jewelry - Native Americanby Hardbrake
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A mystery stone pendant please help!!!! - Native Americanby nativepride
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Sterling Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace Signed Museum Quality Huge 423 GrmsCartier Love Bracelet 18kt. White GoldMuseum 50's Vintage Zuni Petit Point Blue Gem Turquoise Squash Blossom NecklaceOld Pawn Squash Blossom Necklace Sterling Silver & Spiny Oyster Native AmericanFred Harvey Era Heavy Ingot Silver Navajo Swedged & Chiseled BraceletMagnificent Sand Cast Bracelet Harrison Bitsue Navajo Turquoise Sterling SilverVintage Albert Cleveland X/l Sterling Silver Bear Turquoise BraceletOrville Tsinnie Rainbow Moonstone RingHopi Art & Craft Guild Silver Turquise Cuff Bracelet Earring By Paul Saufkie |ps154g Huge Signed Dj Vintage Old Pawn Navajo Blue Diamond Turquoise Necklace Old Pawn Sterling Silver 36-pc Ring Lot Southwest Jewelry & Fashion Styles85g Tufa Cast Old Pawn Navajo Turquoise Cuff BraceletStunning Vintage!!! Silver, Turquoise Huge Navajo Cuff, 107 G.Native American Sterling Silver Turquoise Squash Blossom Naja Necklace 216g 925Native American Sterling Silver 14k Gold 13 Flower Concho Pieces Buckle Lot 465gVintage Silver Navajo Butterfly Squash Blossom Necklace, Ring And Earrings SetNative American Navajo Indian Coral Turquoise Bracelet Super Nice Old Pawn Navajo High Grade Natural Coral Sterling Silver Cuff / 61.2 Grams!!!Heavy Sterling Silver Hand Made Braclet Navajo Maker MarkedVintage Sterling Silver + Solid 14k Gold Navajo Cuff Bracelet By Bruce MorganOld Classic Navajo Cerrillos Mine Turquoise Tri-cluster BraceletBeverly Etsate Zuni Bracelet Squash Blossom Necklace Ring And Earrings Set 202grExtra Rare Vintage Dishta Style Old Pawn Zuni Inlay Turquoise Sterling Earrings Vintage Navajo Silver Shaddowbox Chip Inlay Peyote Bird Squash Bossom NecklaceVintage Native American Necklace Turquoise & Silver Eagle Hinged Wings Jm J.m.Wonderful Vintage Turquoise & Sterling Silver Squash Blossom Necklace - C 0580Lot 55 - Old Southwestern Silver Mercury Dime Button Necklace$.99 ~ Morris Robinson ~ Hopi Bracelet Rare Turquoise Sterling Vintage SignedHeavy 134g Vintage Navajo 2 Sided Huge Onyx Pillow Sterling Bead Necklace Heavy Navajo Lutricia Yellowhair Sterling Silver And 14k Gold Cuff Bracelet 92gHuge Ceremonial Sized Unisex Massive Old Pawn Long Navajo Turquoise Cluster RingNavajo Dangle Earrings Deep Red Coral Clusters Sterling Silver By Larry M. BegayOld Pawn & Mixed Era Silver 36-pc Ring Lot Native American Indian JewelryRare Long 27" Heavy 114g Vintage? Navajo Stamped Tube Sterling Bead NecklaceOld Pawn Navajo Vintage Turquoise Squash Blossom Pendant Damage Scrap Repair LotHuge 311.0 Gram Old Pawn Squash Blossom NecklaceOld Pawn Sterling Silver Lot 9 Bracelets Navajo Native American Indian JewelryLot Vtg Navajo Old Dead Pawn Sterling Silver Turquoise Wide Cuff Bracelet Da Nr77g Tufa Cast Old Pawn Navajo Natural Morenci Turquoise Cuff Bracelet Morenci Turquoise Native American Charm Bracelet, Wear As A Necklace-ask Me !Vintage Early Turquoise Old Pawn Navajo ? Zuni Squash Blossom Pendant NecklaceCartier Love Bracelet 18kt. White GoldVintage Navajo Zuni Large Silver & Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet~46 GramsBeautiful Navajo 3 Green Turquoise Dangle Post Sterling EarringsExtra Large Vtg Navajo Turquoise Spiny Oyster Sterling Cross Pendant EnhancerImpressive Big Old Pawn Sterling Silver Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace 11 OzVintage Pawn Sterling Silver Graduated Stamped Bench Bead Navajo Pearl Necklace Jt Long 2 3/8" Vintage Navajo Shadowbox Coral Turquoise Sterling Earrings Old Museum Quality Pawn Navajo Hand-struck Repousse Concho Sterling EarringsNative American Turquoise/sterling Silver Bracelet With WatchVintage Navajo Coral Squash Blossom Necklace 1940-50'sTommy Singer PendantMint Victoria Adams Sterling/turquoise BraceletNavajo Running Bear Animal Fetish Necklace Turquoise Buffalo Sterling Silver Native American Necklace Signed "j.c. Zuni, (juan Calabaza)" Sterling,no ResSterling Silver Signed Native American Navajo Lot TurquoiseLot Vtg Navajo Old Dead Pawn Sterling Silver Turquoise Cuff Bracelet ThunderbirdVintage Turquoise Native American Navajo Squash Blossom NecklaceNavajo Unique Raised Inlay Sterling Bracelet Vintage ...signedW6980- Navajo - Sterling Tufa Cast Bracelet - Kirk Smith - Collectable!

Recent News: Native American Jewelry

Source: Google News

Fashion >> Street Fashion Part II
noho arts district, June 18th

The artists expressed their love for Native American jewelry. It's quite obvious both of the men adore 70's fashion, from the guitarist fringe jacket to the flutist multicolor Jimi Hendrix t-shirt. Both seem to deliver “Freedom of the mind and Freedom...Read more

Silver Eagle Gallery Relocates After 18 Years
Naples Daily News, June 12th

Silver Eagle specializes in authentic Native American jewelry, arts, and crafts. Silver Eagle has an exceptional inventory of handcrafted sterling silver bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings, belts, belt buckles, and necklaces. Silver Eagle also offers...Read more

What's Ahead
Eastsidemonthly, June 11th

Gayle Gertler, owner of Southwest Passage which offers Native American jewelry from the Southwest, echoes Lewinstein's comments. “We have a great base of local shops and a new store opens as quickly as one closes,” adding “I give Steve (Lewinstein) a ...Read more

Mushrush joins Farm Talk
Farm Talk, June 11th

Topeka, Kan., on the marketing team. In her spare time, Mushrush enjoys photography, collecting Native American jewelry and spending time with family on their ranch. “I am happy to be back in southeast Kansas and working for Farm Talk,” she concluded...Read more

Scenic, history-rich detour to Lake Powell
azcentral.com, June 7th

The post has been restored to capture much of its original appearance and sells authentic Native American jewelry, pottery and rugs. Attached to the post is the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, filled with photos, equipment, tools and weapons used in battle...Read more

Halls' Crown Center department store to grow, Plaza location to close
Kansas City Star, June 4th

The shop, which sells wildlife gifts, Native American jewelry, minerals and children's science toys, has seen sales increase since Sea Life and Legoland opened just over a year ago, but not as much as shops and restaurants on the lower levels. “So the ...Read more

Old but not out of fashion
Estes Park Trail-Gazette, May 29th

Some dealers set up tables on which they could create jewelry. Some dealers brought traditional Southwestern Native American jewelry. All of it sparcled for the passer-by. Furnature made up a good portion of the offerings. Chairs, tables, dressers and...Read more

Tiffany baroque-style brass clock set to tick past $3000
Antique Trader, May 20th

Many artist-signed Native American jewelry items will cross the auction block at Stephenson's, including sand-cast pieces from the 1920s. “These designs stand out because they're very weighty, and you can almost see where each piece was molded in the ...Read more