Buying and caring tips for Navajo Jewelries
by Binasaji
The majority of American Indians too use readymade Sterling silver to craft their designs although there are some artists who use other silver like coins or german silver which are also acceptable (but make sure you are informed if the silver is not sterling).
Wonderful! So you have decided to invest and enjoy wearing handmade jewellery created by Native American Indians. But before you make the purchase, be sure you are buying authentic handcrafted jewellery and not machine made or Navajo jewellery made by artists who are not Native American Indians – which is often sold as the real thing. Learn a little about the jewellery you are planning to buy -browse the internet and if possible stop by at some stores selling Indian jewellery – to get a feel of what authentic Indian jewellery should look like. Visiting stores selling imitation or poor quality Indian jewellery can be advantageous too – for tips on how Indian jewellery should not appear! The more research you do, the better informed your purchase will be and the chances of getting cheated will be diminished.
A little about the materials required to create Indian jewellery – mainly Silver and sometimes even Copper along with gemstones go into making Navajo jewellery. Most Indian jewellery with the exception of Heishi beads and Wampum beads utilize silver As per law, silver jewellery has to be Sterling grade silver, which is 92.5 percent purity silver. Most metals used in jewellery are not of 100% purity (the metals used are always alloys) because a pure metal can bend easily and the ring or bracelet will loose its shape just after one use. The majority of American Indians too use readymade Sterling silver to craft their designs although there are some artists who use other silver like coins or German silver which are also acceptable (but make sure you are informed if the silver is not sterling).
The silver in Navajo jewellery enhances the beauty of turquoise. Most turquoise available in the market today is treated. Stones are sometimes treated (with stabilizing/coating or dying agents) to make them stronger or to enhance their appearance. For eg. good quality untreated turquoise is very expensive, which will increase the price of the jewellery. If the stones have been treated, the seller must let you know in detail the kind of treatment the stone has undergone.
The beauty of silver and turquoise are enchanting and it has captured the interest of millions worldwide. Contemporary Indian artists are re-creating the beauty of Navajo jewellery with gemstones other than traditional Turquoise – corals, onyx, lapis and carnelians are also being used in making Indian jewellery. These present-day Indian artists have learnt the art of making Navajo jewellery from their ancestors. Along with traditional designs, they also offer more contemporary pieces like Watches with the traditional silver and turquoise work. The price of most authentic Indian jewellery is high, in comparison to the value of the materials used – the patience, skill and hours that go into creating a handcrafted piece are much more than imitation or machine-made jewellery, hence the higher price. In fact, if the seller is offering the jewellery at a lower price, it may be imitation or machine-made or pawn jewellery. Browse around to get an approximate idea of what each jewellery piece should cost.
The American Indians sell a piece of their ancient culture through their jewellery. Their creations imbibe their age-old beliefs into each piece of handmade jewellery. The Heishi strands, Squash Blossom necklaces, Naja sets, Kitohs etc are all traditional Navajo concepts. Good quality genuine handmade pieces have clear designs on them; the cut and setting of the stones are impeccable. Poor quality or Imitation pieces will not have the clarity in the designs and the cut and setting of the stones will be poor – sometimes even the glue will be visible between the silver and the stones – an indication the piece is imitation.
Most American Indians like all artists hallmark their jewellery. This means that the pieces created by them are signed by a symbol or a letter. A hallmarked piece is a sure sign that the jewellery is authentic. Some pieces like Heishi strands have a distinct silken feel that cannot be imitated by inferior pieces. Almost always, a Heishi strand will have one flawed or chipped bead – this is proof that the strand is handmade.
The safest course is to look for documentation that the piece is genuinely made by American Indian artists (most of who are registered with different societies, recognized by the Government like the “Indian Arts and Crafts Association”). Later if you plan on reselling your jewellery, you can get a better price than if the jewellery has no certificate. Buy from a reputed seller who will provide accurate information about the piece. Also if a seller has duplicates of the same piece, it is not authentic handcrafted jewellery. All handcrafted jewellery (even similar pieces) has some differences – big or small.
Caring for your Navajo jewellery is as important as making the purchase. Store the piece separately to avoid scratches on the stones. Turquoise is a brittle stone; a slight blow can break the stone. This is the same for other stones like corals, carnelians too. Keep your Navajo jewellery away from extreme temperatures and to clean the stone just rub with a cloth. The silver in Navajo jewellery should never be polished to a high finish. Always leave some area tarnished; this will enhance the beauty of the piece. Tender loving care will make your Navajo jewellery look beautiful for years.
Some collectors invest in antique Navajo jewellery – made in the 1900’s, these pieces are referred to as Dead Pawn or Old Pawn. These pieces are antiques and may even be heirlooms of families that have been sold, stolen or pawned for money in order to feed the family. Some Indians sell their heirlooms to gratify their alcoholism or drugs. Whatever the reason for parting, these Dead Pawn do not normally have a good vibrations, therefore it is advisable to stay away from them. However, there are some antique pieces gifted by the Indians to others with a grateful spirit and carry positive vibrations – however these are relatively rare and one must delve into the past to verify the truth.
The revival of interest in Navajo Jewellery has given a profitable livelihood to the present American Indians. There are plenty of Indian artists offering beautiful handcrafted traditional Navajo jewellery. Some can even take orders or help you decide which Animal symbol will bring you luck!
Knowledge is power. And in learning about the culture and history of the American Indians, you will be able to appreciate the beauty, skill and potency of wearing authentic Navajo jewellery.
Emerald, the gemstone with the rich green color, has always been much coveted and very popular, in the form of jewelry, from ancient times to today’s modern world. Necklaces, crafted out of emeralds, are no exception to the rule. These not only look stunning but also add class to the wearer. The rare natural beauty of the emerald, lends itself to be crafted into a stunning collection of necklaces. A wide variety of designs, that are not only intricate and tasteful but also appealing to both young and old.
To own a pearl necklace is every woman’s desire. There’s always romance, beauty and passion associated with pearls. A young woman wears a pearl necklace it leaves an impression of style, beauty and innocence. An elderly woman wears a pearl necklace it gives an impression of poise, dignity and sophistication. Pearl on one hand can add to the beauty of a young woman matching to the smoothness of her skin and also compliment the dignity of an elderly woman matching the white in her hair. Pearl necklace is an age old favorite jewelry world over making every wearer look like a princess and it’s the pearls gleam that ignites every woman’s desire, to make the pearl their own.You are gifting a pearl necklace!!
To make a purchase your first step is to choose a design that will suite the lady the best. A pearl necklace, which will match her lifestyle and personality. A pearl necklace is usually pearls strung together to form very pretty ensembles. These pearls are usually strung in 18K white gold or yellow gold. There are many styles available to choose from. For example there is the choker- A style where in the pearl necklace; usually a group of 3 to 4 strands are worn close to the neck. The other styles are basically the difference in the length of the pearl strand. There are many lengths of necklace in fashion, and you could choose a length which would suite your lady’s liking and dressing sense. The pearl necklace is strung in many fashions. The center pearl being bigger and the remaining tapering down the size, is a style in fashion too. The pearl could be bigger or smaller depending on the design, if you prefer big sized pearls then one strand pearl necklace would look beautiful. You are going for a medium sized pearl then a 3 strand necklace would be noticeable and grand. You can even match an interesting pendant to go with the pearl necklace. A long single strand of pearl necklace also makes a bold fashion statement, this also can be shortened in three lengths and worn to suite every different occasion and every different outfit.
Opals were first found on earth when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It is as old as the olden civilization. Due to its shine and artistic colors it was used by kings, astrologers and rich personality. Opal was much used by astrologer in order to forecast the future events. It is also termed as an ancient stone. Opal as a gem did not got its importance earlier but pleased to the eyes of the seeker due to its rainbow color. In olden era, Opal had no value. It was treated as a common stone with flashing color. As time passed, Opal importance, value, and moreover demand has raised up to a very huge height.
I know I’ve just contradicted myself, but hey, this is an important point. It’s all very well that you’ve decided to go in for the ring, however here’s the guideline: Jewelry is expensive. Good jewelry is even more expensive. Great jewelry is… But you get the point. Solicit ideas may be a good idea. Speak to men who’ve already done the deed. A family member could have some advice. Your local jeweler will simply be bursting with ideas too. However, ensure that the final decision is yours. Nothing else will do. Here are some tips to help you along. It doesn’t always need to be a diamond. It’s true. Many feel the modern tradition of diamonds is over-sold. Remember that the value of the engagement ring will mean different things to different women. Most women believe more in the symbolic value of the ring, especially if the proposal is sincere. There are many imitation diamonds in the market, but remember that while it may fool some, it will never fool her. My advice, don’t even try. But do take heart; there are many alternatives to diamonds that are affordable, romantic and of symbolic value too.