The jewelry industry is a vital part of the bigger, multi-billion-dollar fashion industry. Nothing can transform an outfit quite like a striking necklace, earrings or bracelet can. If you can find a piece that is not only unique but also versatile enough to go with any look from ethnic to Bohemian, you may be making one of the best investments of your life. Something that fits the bill is authentic Navajo jewelry.
Historically, the Navajo people have been living in the Southwestern United States. They form the largest tribe in the country and especially New Mexico, Arizona and Utah have significant populations of people who either regard themselves as members of the tribe or who have Navajo ancestry. They also refer to themselves as Dine.
Unlike the Plains Tribes with their elaborate beadwork, the Dine are known mostly for the stunning silver and turquoise jewelry they make. However, the use of silver is a fairly recent development in the people's history. Before they learnt how to work with this metal, their adornments usually came to them through trade or conquest and leather, brass and copper were materials that featured much more prominently.
The man who changed everything was Atsidi Sani, whose name in English means Old Smith. He lived in the nineteenth century and was an important blacksmith, according to some historians the first Dine blacksmith. He learnt this skills from a Mexican man called Nakai Tsosi. He also became the first known silversmith among the Dine and passed on his skills to his sons and other members of the tribe.
The silversmiths who plied their trade in the early days made use of whatever they could get their hands on to provide the silver they needed. Silver dollars could be hammered into new shapes and often became conchas, flat disks that decorated belts. Sandstone could be carved into molds and if housewares like candlesticks were melted down, these were then transformed into completely different items.
A type jewelry design that is typical of the Dine is the squash blossom necklace. This consists of silver beads stranded together with a horseshoe-shaped pendant forming the centerpiece. The pendant is called a 'naja'. The 'squash blossoms' are uniquely shaped beads used in the strand along with round beads. They were actually inspired by the shape of the buttons that the Spanish and Mexican horsemen wore on their pants.
Authentic pieces made by Dine craftsmen are handmade. They also bear the artist's hallmark as proof of their authenticity. This is important to keep in mind when you consider buying, since the market unfortunately is flooded with fake pieces made in the East and passed off as Navajo in origin.
If you buy the real thing, you're not only assured of better quality and the fact that the stones used are in fact stones rather than plastic; you also help a local artist earn a fair income. You can look for Navajo jewelry in galleries or stores that specialize in Native American crafts, especially in the Four Corners area of the United States. It's also possible to buy online or at auctions and some antique stores. Best is to buy directly from the artist.
Historically, the Navajo people have been living in the Southwestern United States. They form the largest tribe in the country and especially New Mexico, Arizona and Utah have significant populations of people who either regard themselves as members of the tribe or who have Navajo ancestry. They also refer to themselves as Dine.
Unlike the Plains Tribes with their elaborate beadwork, the Dine are known mostly for the stunning silver and turquoise jewelry they make. However, the use of silver is a fairly recent development in the people's history. Before they learnt how to work with this metal, their adornments usually came to them through trade or conquest and leather, brass and copper were materials that featured much more prominently.
The man who changed everything was Atsidi Sani, whose name in English means Old Smith. He lived in the nineteenth century and was an important blacksmith, according to some historians the first Dine blacksmith. He learnt this skills from a Mexican man called Nakai Tsosi. He also became the first known silversmith among the Dine and passed on his skills to his sons and other members of the tribe.
The silversmiths who plied their trade in the early days made use of whatever they could get their hands on to provide the silver they needed. Silver dollars could be hammered into new shapes and often became conchas, flat disks that decorated belts. Sandstone could be carved into molds and if housewares like candlesticks were melted down, these were then transformed into completely different items.
A type jewelry design that is typical of the Dine is the squash blossom necklace. This consists of silver beads stranded together with a horseshoe-shaped pendant forming the centerpiece. The pendant is called a 'naja'. The 'squash blossoms' are uniquely shaped beads used in the strand along with round beads. They were actually inspired by the shape of the buttons that the Spanish and Mexican horsemen wore on their pants.
Authentic pieces made by Dine craftsmen are handmade. They also bear the artist's hallmark as proof of their authenticity. This is important to keep in mind when you consider buying, since the market unfortunately is flooded with fake pieces made in the East and passed off as Navajo in origin.
If you buy the real thing, you're not only assured of better quality and the fact that the stones used are in fact stones rather than plastic; you also help a local artist earn a fair income. You can look for Navajo jewelry in galleries or stores that specialize in Native American crafts, especially in the Four Corners area of the United States. It's also possible to buy online or at auctions and some antique stores. Best is to buy directly from the artist.
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