After the art of silversmiths was taught to the Navajo people in the nineteenth century, the Navajo’s jewelry became a treasured piece of art throughout history and still today.
(PRWEB) August 17, 2013
The Native American Navajo Indians are world renowned for their excellent jewelry pieces. The jewelry is in high demand on the international level due to their unique craftsman ship and deep rooted belief history. Men and women can find an array of designs to complement their style and looks.
Now, a new website has been launched to honor the timeless tradition associated with Native American Navajo jewelry.
“Archeologists have found several Native American jewelry pieces containing turquoise dating back to 200 A.D.,” said NativeAmericanNavajoJewelry.com spokesperson Michael Fortson. “After the art of silversmiths was taught to the Navajo people in the nineteenth century, the Navajo’s jewelry became a treasured piece of art throughout history and still today.”
Native American Navajo jewelry consists of silver rings, squash necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, concho or concha belts, buckles, bracers, tobacco flasks, hair ornaments, pins, bolos, canteens and crosses. Turquoise and sterling silver were not combined together until the late 1800s.
“Turquoise gemstones are the most popular stones found in Navajo jewelry,” says Fortson. “Modern day Navajo jewelry also contains things like copper, iron, steel, beads and gold.”
There are three designs of jewelry that are handcrafted by the Navajo Indians. This would include the inlay of gemstones into the silver pieces, hammering the silver where it is then multifaceted and the earliest method of setting gemstones was the bezel setting that was a grooved rim that held the gemstone in its position and then became soldered into place.
“The Native American Navajo jewelry’s most popular style is the squash blossom necklace that resembles a squash flower,” says Fortson. “These silver pieces of jewelry created by the Navajo Indians are unique and genuine pieces of art that have been either been passed down from generations of tribe members or sold for money on the tourist or trade market.”
For more information about the Native American Navajo jewelry history and making, visit NativeAmericanNavajoJewelry.com.