The crafting of Navajo jewelry has a long tradition. It includes adornments such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, pins, and earrings. Also, labrets (for lip piercings), wampum (sacred shell beads), and ketohs (arm guards) are traditionally crafted by Native American artisans.
Many collectors value American Indian artifacts. They include arrowheads, cradle-boards, head-dresses, arrows and bows, baskets, pottery, and carvings. The items are crafted using raw materials which can be found in the artisans' local environments. Native grasses, bone, turquoise, beads, feathers, and leather are among the materials utilized by tribal artisans.
A lapidery specializes in carving gemstones, minerals, and stone. He or she relies upon various tools to create decorative items. They may include antlers, wooden drills that have cactus-spine bits, and stones. The variety of raw materials which are accessible to these artisans include spiny oysters, freshwater clam shells, red shale, jet, argillite, abalone, steatite, and turquoise.
Fetish necklaces are common elements of Zuni jewelry. They are crafted from small carvings which represent animals and icons which hold significant cultural relevance. Contemporary designs have become rather varied. They may include carvings of birds, bears, horses, squirrels, foxes, armadillos, frogs, turtles, and maize.
Popular Navajo jewelry often consists of turquoise, colorful beads, opals, silver, and coral. The craft of silversmithing was not introduced into the tribe until about 1860. The smiths who were trained in this craft earned high praise from their peers. Some of the first items that were manufactured from silver were garment buttons, clasps, and buckles. Conchas and horse bridles later gained popularity. The bridles were ornamental and intricate, and required much skill to create. The beautiful metal discs (conchas) were frequently used for decorations on belts as well as saddles.
Combinations of turquoise and coral are very traditional. These gemstones are often paired with leaves and tendrils, which symbolize the life force. Four design elements are frequently incorporated into the jewelry. They are symbolic of the four cardinal directions: west, east, south, and north.
A broad array of Navajo jewelry is available. Some bracelets, money clips, rings, bolo ties, pocket knives, and watches have been crafted especially for men. Each bolo tie consists of a piece of braided leather or a cord which has an ornamental silver clasp and decorative silver tips. For women, rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are available with various design elements. Among them are buffalo, crosses, dragonflies, horses, and butterflies. The materials which are used include turquoise, lapis, malachite, feathers, silver, beads, and copper.
Many collectors value American Indian artifacts. They include arrowheads, cradle-boards, head-dresses, arrows and bows, baskets, pottery, and carvings. The items are crafted using raw materials which can be found in the artisans' local environments. Native grasses, bone, turquoise, beads, feathers, and leather are among the materials utilized by tribal artisans.
A lapidery specializes in carving gemstones, minerals, and stone. He or she relies upon various tools to create decorative items. They may include antlers, wooden drills that have cactus-spine bits, and stones. The variety of raw materials which are accessible to these artisans include spiny oysters, freshwater clam shells, red shale, jet, argillite, abalone, steatite, and turquoise.
Fetish necklaces are common elements of Zuni jewelry. They are crafted from small carvings which represent animals and icons which hold significant cultural relevance. Contemporary designs have become rather varied. They may include carvings of birds, bears, horses, squirrels, foxes, armadillos, frogs, turtles, and maize.
Popular Navajo jewelry often consists of turquoise, colorful beads, opals, silver, and coral. The craft of silversmithing was not introduced into the tribe until about 1860. The smiths who were trained in this craft earned high praise from their peers. Some of the first items that were manufactured from silver were garment buttons, clasps, and buckles. Conchas and horse bridles later gained popularity. The bridles were ornamental and intricate, and required much skill to create. The beautiful metal discs (conchas) were frequently used for decorations on belts as well as saddles.
Combinations of turquoise and coral are very traditional. These gemstones are often paired with leaves and tendrils, which symbolize the life force. Four design elements are frequently incorporated into the jewelry. They are symbolic of the four cardinal directions: west, east, south, and north.
A broad array of Navajo jewelry is available. Some bracelets, money clips, rings, bolo ties, pocket knives, and watches have been crafted especially for men. Each bolo tie consists of a piece of braided leather or a cord which has an ornamental silver clasp and decorative silver tips. For women, rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are available with various design elements. Among them are buffalo, crosses, dragonflies, horses, and butterflies. The materials which are used include turquoise, lapis, malachite, feathers, silver, beads, and copper.
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