New Website Celebrates Southwest Indian Jewelry
(PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- A new wave of fascination is opening up surrounding the ancient ways and lives of the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo Indian tribes which are native to the Southwestern region of the United States.
Rosa Hernandez, who represents the new website southwestindianjewelry.net, wants people to know that the Native American culture of these tribes is still alive and thriving today. "They are still living in the same locations as their ancestors, still living by the same values, and still producing incredible works of art which the whole world would benefit from familiarizing themselves with."
One of the biggest ways in which the tribes are continuing to touch people all over the world is through the beautiful artisan jewelry they create. Southwest Indian jewelry offers people a glimpse into the world of the ancient tribes.
"Every single piece tells an important story about life, love and loyalty," says Hernandez. "For the tribes, jewelry was a way of expressing individual thoughts as well as thoughts which represented the entire tribe."
The mediums and tools which Native Americans used, and continue to use, to produce southwest Indian jewelry is truly fascinating. Many of the pieces are embellished with stones and shells collected from the earth, as well as rare gemstones including turquoise and opal. The skilled artisans employ the use of sophisticated techniques including inlays and needlepoint which were invented generations ago. It was the Navajo tribe who first began the implementation of silver for use in making jewelry. This practice began after the tribe was introduced to the Spanish, who had a mastery of the craft of silversmithing.
Amazingly, many of the designs first created by the tribes of the Southwest centuries ago are still commonly worn today, not only by tribe members, but by tourists and other consumers who are drawn to the style.
"Southwest Indian jewelry is really so versatile because each piece is inspired by the human heart. You won't find any generic patterns here, just raw designs," said Hernandez.
Even though authentic Native American jewelry lacks the off-putting commercialization of other jewelry trends, it has a great economic benefit for the tribes of the Southwest region of the United States. "When people buy jewelry from these artisans, they are helping to support the native community and allowing them to carry out the traditions of their ancestors while sustaining themselves in today's modern economy," says Hernandez. "It's a win-win situation for everyone."
If you are fascinated by the tribes of the Southwest United States and want to explore all about Southwest Indian jewelry, visit southwestindianjewelry.net.
Rosa Hernandez, Southwest Indian Jewelry, http://southwestindianjewelry.net, 480-563-21989, [email protected]
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