Native American people have been making and putting on gorgeous jewelry for years. Earlier before the Europeans settled down in America and led the natives into silversmithing, natural resources like turquoise, shells, wood, stones, and bones were used by the native Americans to make pieces like bracelets, pins, necklaces, and earrings. Although many types of Indian-American jewelry exist, most of the Native American jewelry was created for purposes of fashion like buttons and clasps.

What Southwest American Jewelry Exactly?

Southwest American jewelry refers to bits and pieces of own embellishment, either for sale, personal use, or as art. Examples include pins and rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, labrets, and wampum made by some native tribes in America.

American Indian Jewelry Is Still Significant Today

In the past, indigenous Americans kept their jewelry as a form of collateral or currency when transacting with the settlers from Europe, and this made jewelry crafting become a vital aspect of the economic survival of the natives. Presently, artists from the Indian-American tribes preserve this persisting tradition thriving.

They are making authentic southwest jewelry engrained in the ancient cultures handed down among generations. Purchasing native American Jewelry remains to be an exceptional method of supporting resident native American artists.

Indigenous American Jewelry is still significant because of the superb skills and artistry that is incorporated in each item, as well as the everlasting old designs that have gained fame in the society.
Authentic native American jewelry remains to be a potent cultural symbol today, with countless very fashionable individuals going for it to augment their looks, both formal and casual.

Some Southwest American Tribes and How They Were Involved with Jewelry

The Navajo

It is the most prominent indigenous American tribe in the USA today. As expected, jewelry from this tribe is the most famous and widespread. Navajo jewelry emerged when people became familiar with silver, and it became even more attractive when turquoise was added to the valuable metal. Most of the ancient Navajo jewelry was made from liquified coins.

It is supposed that specific designs of Navajo pieces originate from the Spaniards. Currently, the extensive collection of Navajo Jewelry has pieces with the signature of the tribe, beads, and flowers. The Squash Blossom necklace is possibly the absolute pieces from the Navajo tribe.

The Zuni

The Zuni Native American tribe has crafted stunning and attractive jewelry for more than 1,000 years. They are the most known for their complex arts on stones, creating animal-like fetishes. Apart from amulets, they are known for making other stone designs like inlay, needle point, and petit point.

The Hopi

The Hopi tribe is known for their style of sliver overly. However, they have developed, and are still developing other different types of jewelry arts like coiled baskets and textile weaving.

Most of their native jewelry was made from stones, turquoise, bones, seeds, wood, and shell because they had very little quantities of silver.

The Santo Domingo

The Santo Domingo tribe is recognized for their jewelry made of turquoise, shell, and silver. Their Heishe jewelry is probably the most significant contribution of this tribe to the world of jewelry. The piece is a disc-shaped bead that is crafted from polished stones, turquoise, and shell.