Navajo Jewelry - The Different Types Of Navajo Jewelry
Navajo jewelry is a beautiful art work that conveys Navajo's unique culture and history. It offers a wide variety of exquisite designs that are composed of historical figures, animals and other nature symbols. Navajo jewelry reflects the Navajo way of living as well as raw energy of the Native Americans.
The Navajo or Dine of the Southwestern United States is a Native American tribe from which Navajo jewelry or Nature American jewelry originated. In 1864, while the Navajo's were in captivity at Fort Summer in Eastern New Mexico, silvermithing or making objects out of solid silver had been introduced to them. Navajo is second largest native American tribe of North America.
Atsidi Sani is the first Navajo silversmith who learned this trade in 1864 while they were captives. Sani became a skilled silversmith and imparted this knowledge to his four sons. His early silver works were bracelets, conchas and a variety of other jewelry pieces. Blacksmithing became Sani's main focus when he learned the skill from Nakai Tsosi, a Mexican. Between 1850-1865, he became the "most important iron smith".
Tommy Singer, a member of Navajo tribe of Winslow, Arizona and a son of a silver smith became popular as the originator of the chip inlay design which he developed in the 1910's. His designs were made with different meanings of Navajo's way of life. He is another well-known silversmith of Navajo jewelry. He perfected his designs in a small studio in the Navajo reservation where he lived with his family. His crafts contain Navajo jewelry styled with coral, turquoise and silver pieces.
Handmade jewelry was created by Navajo silversmiths in 1880. Beads are a common feature of a handmade Navajo jewelry. The amount of beads on the jewelry signifies status, authority and wealth. Hair pins and ornaments, necklaces and bow guards, tobacco flasks, earrings, buckles and bracelets were the first handmade Navajo jewelry.
The Wampun beads and the Heishi beads are two important beads that has been a part of the Native American culture.
Wampum beads
The earliest forms of beads were the Wampum beads, which refers to the traditional, sacred shell beads of Native Americans. They were made from different materials including white shell beads fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell and the white and purple beads, made from the quahog, or Western North Atlantic hard-shelled clam. The first Wampum beads were made of shells and later gemstones. Sometimes, coins were used as Wampum beads.
Wampun beads were later used for trading between tribes but were initially used as a gift. These beads have a variety of colors which has different meanings. In Native American culture, these beads contributed so much. In several aspects of Indian life like curing ceremonies and marriages, Wampun beads are always involve.
Wampun beads were used by Native Americans as inlay to their clothes and weapons for protection and beauty. Woven belts of Wampun have commemorated historical events or treaties. Wampun beads influenced jewelry, social, financial and religious functions and even political purposes.
Heishi beads
Heishe is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico. These are small discs or tubes shaped beads made of organic shells or grounded and polished stones. Heishe originated from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico. The exact meaning of the word heishi (pronounced as "hee shee") is "shell necklace".
The Santo Domingo Pueblo Indians were acknowledged to be the masters of heishe beads. They are the most skilled in making this beautiful, creative form of jewelry. However, the same technique was already used in northern Africa 30,000 years ago.
Heishi are usually made to form a string which can take 2 days to 2 weeks to make. Popular Heishi strings are those that are made or turquoise, corals, carnelias and lapis. A Heishi string looks like a snake but feels very smooth.
Naja Sets
There are other known types of Navajo jewelry aside from Heishi and Wampun beads. One is the Naja, which believed to have been borrowed from the Spaniards. Naja sets were made of beads, coins, silver or metal. It has crescent shape with designs of beans, flowers and snakes.
Squash Blossom Necklace
Squash Blossom Necklace is an adaptation of the Naja set. The squash blossom necklaces are designed with sacred and lucky animals. These necklaces can have turquoise, shell and other intricate inlay and overlay work.
Having bold inlay and overlay works, this jewelry reflects raw energy of the Native Americans. Belts, earrings, rings and kitohs (wristband worn like stringing bows), bracelets and bangles were other forms of Navajo jewelry.
Navajo jewelry is rich in history. Their history varies from the region where the jewelry was made. Most pieces of the Navajo jewelry can be worn by both men and women. This is one great advantage. Navajo jewelry is basically desired because of its diversity apart from its rich history.
Here at navajo-jewelrydiscount.com, you can find the best Navajo jewelry at affordable prices. We offer a wide array of designs that are suitable for various ensembles. We also offer discounts on selected items available on eBay and Amazon. Navajo jewelry is a truly beautiful work of art.
The Navajo or Dine of the Southwestern United States is a Native American tribe from which Navajo jewelry or Nature American jewelry originated. In 1864, while the Navajo's were in captivity at Fort Summer in Eastern New Mexico, silvermithing or making objects out of solid silver had been introduced to them. Navajo is second largest native American tribe of North America.
Atsidi Sani is the first Navajo silversmith who learned this trade in 1864 while they were captives. Sani became a skilled silversmith and imparted this knowledge to his four sons. His early silver works were bracelets, conchas and a variety of other jewelry pieces. Blacksmithing became Sani's main focus when he learned the skill from Nakai Tsosi, a Mexican. Between 1850-1865, he became the "most important iron smith".
Tommy Singer, a member of Navajo tribe of Winslow, Arizona and a son of a silver smith became popular as the originator of the chip inlay design which he developed in the 1910's. His designs were made with different meanings of Navajo's way of life. He is another well-known silversmith of Navajo jewelry. He perfected his designs in a small studio in the Navajo reservation where he lived with his family. His crafts contain Navajo jewelry styled with coral, turquoise and silver pieces.
Handmade jewelry was created by Navajo silversmiths in 1880. Beads are a common feature of a handmade Navajo jewelry. The amount of beads on the jewelry signifies status, authority and wealth. Hair pins and ornaments, necklaces and bow guards, tobacco flasks, earrings, buckles and bracelets were the first handmade Navajo jewelry.
The Wampun beads and the Heishi beads are two important beads that has been a part of the Native American culture.
Wampum beads
The earliest forms of beads were the Wampum beads, which refers to the traditional, sacred shell beads of Native Americans. They were made from different materials including white shell beads fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell and the white and purple beads, made from the quahog, or Western North Atlantic hard-shelled clam. The first Wampum beads were made of shells and later gemstones. Sometimes, coins were used as Wampum beads.
Wampun beads were later used for trading between tribes but were initially used as a gift. These beads have a variety of colors which has different meanings. In Native American culture, these beads contributed so much. In several aspects of Indian life like curing ceremonies and marriages, Wampun beads are always involve.
Wampun beads were used by Native Americans as inlay to their clothes and weapons for protection and beauty. Woven belts of Wampun have commemorated historical events or treaties. Wampun beads influenced jewelry, social, financial and religious functions and even political purposes.
Heishi beads
Heishe is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico. These are small discs or tubes shaped beads made of organic shells or grounded and polished stones. Heishe originated from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico. The exact meaning of the word heishi (pronounced as "hee shee") is "shell necklace".
The Santo Domingo Pueblo Indians were acknowledged to be the masters of heishe beads. They are the most skilled in making this beautiful, creative form of jewelry. However, the same technique was already used in northern Africa 30,000 years ago.
Heishi are usually made to form a string which can take 2 days to 2 weeks to make. Popular Heishi strings are those that are made or turquoise, corals, carnelias and lapis. A Heishi string looks like a snake but feels very smooth.
Naja Sets
There are other known types of Navajo jewelry aside from Heishi and Wampun beads. One is the Naja, which believed to have been borrowed from the Spaniards. Naja sets were made of beads, coins, silver or metal. It has crescent shape with designs of beans, flowers and snakes.
Squash Blossom Necklace
Squash Blossom Necklace is an adaptation of the Naja set. The squash blossom necklaces are designed with sacred and lucky animals. These necklaces can have turquoise, shell and other intricate inlay and overlay work.
Having bold inlay and overlay works, this jewelry reflects raw energy of the Native Americans. Belts, earrings, rings and kitohs (wristband worn like stringing bows), bracelets and bangles were other forms of Navajo jewelry.
Navajo jewelry is rich in history. Their history varies from the region where the jewelry was made. Most pieces of the Navajo jewelry can be worn by both men and women. This is one great advantage. Navajo jewelry is basically desired because of its diversity apart from its rich history.
Here at navajo-jewelrydiscount.com, you can find the best Navajo jewelry at affordable prices. We offer a wide array of designs that are suitable for various ensembles. We also offer discounts on selected items available on eBay and Amazon. Navajo jewelry is a truly beautiful work of art.
About the Author:
About the Author: Fred Gagnon specializes in providing tips and information on jewelries. He owns a wide collection of beautiful, glamorous and elegant jewelries. To learn more about jewelries, accessories, precious metals and gemstones, visit Hip Hop Jewelry and Horse Jewelry.
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