Navajo jewelry is a beautiful art work that conveys Navajo's unique culture and history. It offers a wide variety of exquisite designs that are composed of historical figures, animals and other nature symbols. Navajo jewelry reflects the Navajo way of living as well as raw energy of the Native Americans.
Navajo jewelry refers to the Native American jewelry which originated from a Native American tribe, the Navajo or Dine of the Southwestern United States. Navajo is the second largest Native American tribe of Northern America. In 1864, the Navajos were introduced to silversmithing or making objects in solid silver. This happened when they were held captive at Fort Summer in eastern New Mexico.
In 1864, Astidi Sani learned silversmithing during their captivity. He was the first Navajo silversmith. It was from Nakai Tsosi, a Mexican silversmith, that Atsidi Sani learned the skill of silversmithing. Sani's main focus was in silversmithing. He became a skilled silversmith. His knowledge of silversmithing was passed on by him to his four sons. Among his early silver works are Conchas, bracelets and a variety of other jewelry pieces.
Another well-known silversmith who specializes in Navajo jewelry is Tommy Singer, a son of a silversmith and a member of the Navajo tribe from Winslow, Arizona. He gained acclaim as the originator of the chip inlay design which he developed in the 1970s. His crafts include Navajo jewelry designed with turquoise, coral and silver pieces. His designs, which he perfected in a small studio in the Navajo reservation where he lived with his family and other tribal members, were made with the various meanings of the Navajo way of living.
Handmade jewelry was created by Navajo silversmiths in 1880. Beads are a common feature of a handmade Navajo jewelry. The amount of beads on the jewelry signifies status, authority and wealth. Hair pins and ornaments, necklaces and bow guards, tobacco flasks, earrings, buckles and bracelets were the first handmade Navajo jewelry.
The Heishi beads and the Wampun beads are two important beads that's been a part of the Native American culture.
Wampum beads
The earliest forms of beads were the Wampum beads, which refers to the traditional, sacred shell beads of Native Americans. They were made from different materials including white shell beads fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell and the white and purple beads, made from the quahog, or Western North Atlantic hard-shelled clam. The first Wampum beads were made of shells and later gemstones. Sometimes, coins were used as Wampum beads.
Wampun beads have various colors and these have different meanings. These beads have contributed much in the Native American culture. It is involved in several aspects of the Indian life like marriages and curing ceremonies. However, they were initially used as gifts but were later used for trading between tribes.
Wampun beads were used by Native Americans as inlay to their clothes and weapons for protection and beauty. Woven belts of Wampun have commemorated historical events or treaties. Wampun beads influenced jewelry, social, financial and religious functions and even political purposes.
Heishi beads
Heishi beads are small tubes or disc shaped beads made of organic shells or polished and grounded stones. Heishi (pronounced "hee shee") means a "shell necklace". It originated from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico. It is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico.
The Santo Domingo Pueblo Indians were acknowledged to be the masters of heishe beads. They are the most skilled in making this beautiful, creative form of jewelry. However, the same technique was already used in northern Africa 30,000 years ago.
Heishi are usually made to form a string which can take 2 days to 2 weeks to make. Popular Heishi strings are those that are made or turquoise, corals, carnelias and lapis. A Heishi string looks like a snake but feels very smooth.
Naja Sets
There are other known types of Navajo jewelry aside from Heishi and Wampun beads. One is the Naja, which believed to have been borrowed from the Spaniards. Naja sets were made of beads, coins, silver or metal. It has crescent shape with designs of beans, flowers and snakes.
Squash Blossom Necklace
Squash blossom necklace is an adaptation of the Naja set. These necklaces can have turquoise, shell and other intricate inlay and overlay work. Like the Naja sets, Squash blossom necklaces are designed with sacred and lucky animals.
Other forms of Navajo jewelry include bracelets and bangles, belts, earrings, rings and Kitohs or wristbands worn while stringing bows. Having bold overlay and inlay works, such jewelry reflects the raw energy of the Native Americans.
In Navajo jewelry, unlimited pieces can be worn by both men and women which is an advantage. Navajo jewelry is rich in history, which differs from the region where it was made. It is desired for its diversity, aside from its rich history.
Find the best Navajo jewelry at reasonable prices here at navajo-jewelrydiscount.com. Discounts are also offered on our selected Navajo jewelry available on eBay and Amazon. Beautiful Navajo jewelry is truly a work of art. We offer various styles of Navajo jewelry that are suitable for different outfits. - 29871
Navajo jewelry refers to the Native American jewelry which originated from a Native American tribe, the Navajo or Dine of the Southwestern United States. Navajo is the second largest Native American tribe of Northern America. In 1864, the Navajos were introduced to silversmithing or making objects in solid silver. This happened when they were held captive at Fort Summer in eastern New Mexico.
In 1864, Astidi Sani learned silversmithing during their captivity. He was the first Navajo silversmith. It was from Nakai Tsosi, a Mexican silversmith, that Atsidi Sani learned the skill of silversmithing. Sani's main focus was in silversmithing. He became a skilled silversmith. His knowledge of silversmithing was passed on by him to his four sons. Among his early silver works are Conchas, bracelets and a variety of other jewelry pieces.
Another well-known silversmith who specializes in Navajo jewelry is Tommy Singer, a son of a silversmith and a member of the Navajo tribe from Winslow, Arizona. He gained acclaim as the originator of the chip inlay design which he developed in the 1970s. His crafts include Navajo jewelry designed with turquoise, coral and silver pieces. His designs, which he perfected in a small studio in the Navajo reservation where he lived with his family and other tribal members, were made with the various meanings of the Navajo way of living.
Handmade jewelry was created by Navajo silversmiths in 1880. Beads are a common feature of a handmade Navajo jewelry. The amount of beads on the jewelry signifies status, authority and wealth. Hair pins and ornaments, necklaces and bow guards, tobacco flasks, earrings, buckles and bracelets were the first handmade Navajo jewelry.
The Heishi beads and the Wampun beads are two important beads that's been a part of the Native American culture.
Wampum beads
The earliest forms of beads were the Wampum beads, which refers to the traditional, sacred shell beads of Native Americans. They were made from different materials including white shell beads fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell and the white and purple beads, made from the quahog, or Western North Atlantic hard-shelled clam. The first Wampum beads were made of shells and later gemstones. Sometimes, coins were used as Wampum beads.
Wampun beads have various colors and these have different meanings. These beads have contributed much in the Native American culture. It is involved in several aspects of the Indian life like marriages and curing ceremonies. However, they were initially used as gifts but were later used for trading between tribes.
Wampun beads were used by Native Americans as inlay to their clothes and weapons for protection and beauty. Woven belts of Wampun have commemorated historical events or treaties. Wampun beads influenced jewelry, social, financial and religious functions and even political purposes.
Heishi beads
Heishi beads are small tubes or disc shaped beads made of organic shells or polished and grounded stones. Heishi (pronounced "hee shee") means a "shell necklace". It originated from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico. It is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico.
The Santo Domingo Pueblo Indians were acknowledged to be the masters of heishe beads. They are the most skilled in making this beautiful, creative form of jewelry. However, the same technique was already used in northern Africa 30,000 years ago.
Heishi are usually made to form a string which can take 2 days to 2 weeks to make. Popular Heishi strings are those that are made or turquoise, corals, carnelias and lapis. A Heishi string looks like a snake but feels very smooth.
Naja Sets
There are other known types of Navajo jewelry aside from Heishi and Wampun beads. One is the Naja, which believed to have been borrowed from the Spaniards. Naja sets were made of beads, coins, silver or metal. It has crescent shape with designs of beans, flowers and snakes.
Squash Blossom Necklace
Squash blossom necklace is an adaptation of the Naja set. These necklaces can have turquoise, shell and other intricate inlay and overlay work. Like the Naja sets, Squash blossom necklaces are designed with sacred and lucky animals.
Other forms of Navajo jewelry include bracelets and bangles, belts, earrings, rings and Kitohs or wristbands worn while stringing bows. Having bold overlay and inlay works, such jewelry reflects the raw energy of the Native Americans.
In Navajo jewelry, unlimited pieces can be worn by both men and women which is an advantage. Navajo jewelry is rich in history, which differs from the region where it was made. It is desired for its diversity, aside from its rich history.
Find the best Navajo jewelry at reasonable prices here at navajo-jewelrydiscount.com. Discounts are also offered on our selected Navajo jewelry available on eBay and Amazon. Beautiful Navajo jewelry is truly a work of art. We offer various styles of Navajo jewelry that are suitable for different outfits. - 29871
About the Author:
Author Fred Gagnon is an expert on providing tips and information on jewelries. He owns a wide collection of beautiful, glamorous and elegant jewelries. To learn more about jewelries, accessories, precious metals and gemstones, visit Hip Hop Jewelry and Horse Jewelry.
