Humans have been wearing adornments since the very beginning. The modern jewelry industry has an income of many billions of dollars through the sale of fashion accessories like earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. A stunning piece of Navajo jewelry is not only a good investment in something quintessentially American but will also be a versatile addition to your wardrobe.
In the Navajo language, the people call themselves the Dine. They are the largest of America's native tribes. Their ancestors have lived in the Southwest for centuries and today their tribal lands cover large parts of New Mexico and Arizona but also the southerns parts of Utah.
Unlike the Plains Tribes with their elaborate beadwork, the Dine are known mostly for the stunning silver and turquoise jewelry they make. However, the use of silver is a fairly recent development in the people's history. Before they learnt how to work with this metal, their adornments usually came to them through trade or conquest and leather, brass and copper were materials that featured much more prominently.
The man who changed everything was Atsidi Sani, whose name in English means Old Smith. He lived in the nineteenth century and was an important blacksmith, according to some historians the first Dine blacksmith. He learnt this skills from a Mexican man called Nakai Tsosi. He also became the first known silversmith among the Dine and passed on his skills to his sons and other members of the tribe.
The silversmiths who plied their trade in the early days made use of whatever they could get their hands on to provide the silver they needed. Silver dollars could be hammered into new shapes and often became conchas, flat disks that decorated belts. Sandstone could be carved into molds and if housewares like candlesticks were melted down, these were then transformed into completely different items.
A type jewelry design that is typical of the Dine is the squash blossom necklace. This consists of silver beads stranded together with a horseshoe-shaped pendant forming the centerpiece. The pendant is called a 'naja'. The 'squash blossoms' are uniquely shaped beads used in the strand along with round beads. They were actually inspired by the shape of the buttons that the Spanish and Mexican horsemen wore on their pants.
There are still many Dine jewelers who create breath-taking pieces by hand. Unfortunately there are also many fake pieces on the market. These often come from countries in the East, where they are mass-produced with inferior materials. Many even use plastic instead of real turquoise. To avoid buying a fake, check the piece for the hallmark of the artist. It's usually at the back of the piece. Also remember that a very low price usually means that the item isn't really of Navajo origin.
If you buy the real thing, you're not only assured of better quality and the fact that the stones used are in fact stones rather than plastic; you also help a local artist earn a fair income. You can look for Navajo jewelry in galleries or stores that specialize in Native American crafts, especially in the Four Corners area of the United States. It's also possible to buy online or at auctions and some antique stores. Best is to buy directly from the artist.
In the Navajo language, the people call themselves the Dine. They are the largest of America's native tribes. Their ancestors have lived in the Southwest for centuries and today their tribal lands cover large parts of New Mexico and Arizona but also the southerns parts of Utah.
Unlike the Plains Tribes with their elaborate beadwork, the Dine are known mostly for the stunning silver and turquoise jewelry they make. However, the use of silver is a fairly recent development in the people's history. Before they learnt how to work with this metal, their adornments usually came to them through trade or conquest and leather, brass and copper were materials that featured much more prominently.
The man who changed everything was Atsidi Sani, whose name in English means Old Smith. He lived in the nineteenth century and was an important blacksmith, according to some historians the first Dine blacksmith. He learnt this skills from a Mexican man called Nakai Tsosi. He also became the first known silversmith among the Dine and passed on his skills to his sons and other members of the tribe.
The silversmiths who plied their trade in the early days made use of whatever they could get their hands on to provide the silver they needed. Silver dollars could be hammered into new shapes and often became conchas, flat disks that decorated belts. Sandstone could be carved into molds and if housewares like candlesticks were melted down, these were then transformed into completely different items.
A type jewelry design that is typical of the Dine is the squash blossom necklace. This consists of silver beads stranded together with a horseshoe-shaped pendant forming the centerpiece. The pendant is called a 'naja'. The 'squash blossoms' are uniquely shaped beads used in the strand along with round beads. They were actually inspired by the shape of the buttons that the Spanish and Mexican horsemen wore on their pants.
There are still many Dine jewelers who create breath-taking pieces by hand. Unfortunately there are also many fake pieces on the market. These often come from countries in the East, where they are mass-produced with inferior materials. Many even use plastic instead of real turquoise. To avoid buying a fake, check the piece for the hallmark of the artist. It's usually at the back of the piece. Also remember that a very low price usually means that the item isn't really of Navajo origin.
If you buy the real thing, you're not only assured of better quality and the fact that the stones used are in fact stones rather than plastic; you also help a local artist earn a fair income. You can look for Navajo jewelry in galleries or stores that specialize in Native American crafts, especially in the Four Corners area of the United States. It's also possible to buy online or at auctions and some antique stores. Best is to buy directly from the artist.
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