A Guide To Navajo Jewellery

Navajo Jewelry is the most popular kind of Native jewelry for sales because of the beautiful and interesting materials. These have been popular and known for their intricate designs and long history. So, anyone interested in Traditional Navajo Jewelry will have a deeper appreciation and can understand its cultural significance. Here is what you need to know about Navajo Jewelry before you are going to buy it:

What Navajo Jewelry is Made of?

Vintage and modern Navajo Jewelry often contain Turquoise and silver. And the Navajo jewelry is made from copper, gold, shells, antlers, and other materials. Some materials are native, while the other materials have been obtained through trade. 

Navajo jewelry sometimes contains oyster shells and a material that has been obtained from coastal tribes. And the other material have been traditionally found in Navajo jewelry is coral, which has been obtained from centauries. 

 

Navajo Turquoise Jewelry

Navajo jewelry was usually made from Turquoise before silver and gold were used. Turquoise was a material that has been known for southwestern tribes for years. 

It has also been found in mines throughout the area. Besides, it holds a sacred place of healing and protection in the Navajo Culture. When using this jewelry, your complete outfit will look different. 

However, there are different types of Navajo turquoise jewelry, and these are:

1: Natural

However, a whole specimen of Turquoise can be easily cut, polished, and altered. Thus, it is the finest quality turquoise stone. Famous native jewelry is a natural turquoise. 

2: Stabilized

Turquoise with a consistency made of stable and with a clear proxy resin. Also, its stabilizing process involves extreme heat and pressure. All the Navajo turquoise jewelry is made from stabilized Turquoise because natural Turquoise is difficult to work with. 

3: Treated

Low-grade Turquoise is stabilized by using clear epoxy resin like stabilized Turquoise. The treated Turquoise is often used in imitation Cluster Body Navajo Jewelry. 

Some of the Navajo Jewlery Design Techniques

The traditional Navajo Jewelry design includes the following things

1: Overlay

These are popularized and are perfect by the Navajos. Also, the overlay is a design cut out and soldered over the second piece of silver or gold. Navajo overlay jewelry contains a smooth underside. 

2: Stamping

However, intricate designs are struck into metal using a stamp. And these stamps were originally made of iron or steel and passed down generationally. 

3: However, a complex molding process that involves carbonizing ash material is found on the Navajo reservation. Also, a carved design is typically filled with silver or gold and then fused with some heated clamps. 

How To Identify Real Navajo Jewelry?

To identify Navajo Jewlery, the product should be labeled Navajo Jewelry, and beware of styled and inspired jewelry. Navajo Jewlery sold to below market value should also raise alarms and don't be afraid to ask a dealer where they get their Navajo jewelry and how they know if it's real or not. It would help if you established a connection with a well-known dealer who has been in the business for a long time. 

Conclusion

Navajo jewelry's beauty and uniqueness have drawn people to it for years. The blend of traditional techniques, materials, and designs imbues each piece with a brief history. 

Thus, when you purchase Navajo Jewelry, you get guaranteed that you only get the products that are 100% authentic. And most pieces come with a certificate of authenticity, and all the pieces are sourced from local tribes and it includes work by the award. So, find your perfect piece today.