History of Native American Jewelry for Women
The history of Native American jewelry for women dates back hundreds of years. Native Americans were making jewelry long before settlers arrived. Beautiful items like rings, earrings and bracelets handcrafted from precious stone, bone, wood, coral and beads adorned many women. Early Native American jewelry for women told stories passed down through generations.
Each piece of stone, bone, wood and bead told a piece of the story. The tribeswomen believed in keeping generations of history and tales alive through the jewelry. The tribes mined the stone with quartz, antler or jasper tools then polished it smooth with a fine sand or clay for use in Native American jewelry for women. Bones of dead animals were also broken down and smoothed for use in Native American Jewelry for women. Native American jewelry for women was popular hundreds of years ago and remains popular today.
Many tribes of today continue to produce Native American jewelry for women. Some of the most popular Native American jewelry for women is rings. Much of the Native American jewelry for women contains turquoise. The turquoise is said to be “fallen sky stone,” is thought to bring blessings, good fortune, long life, protection and health. Turquoise and silver rings women buy today are beautiful and reflect the artisanship of past Native Americans. Opal, coral and onyx are other popular stones used in rings. Most precious stones are set in silver, which gives the jewelry a classic appearance.
Earrings are another popular choice in Native American jewelry for women. Much like rings, Native American jewelry for women features earrings that are typically made of a precious stone like turquoise or coral and set in silver. Some earrings are quite elaborate containing a number of colorful stones of different sizes and lengths. Other Native American jewelry for women is simpler. It is solid silver in the shape of an important Native American symbol like a wolf or moon. Native American jewelry for women contains many characteristics of Native American tribes.
Native American jewelry for women also includes bracelets. In modern Native American jewelry for women, bracelets contain a precious stone like turquoise, coral, opal or onyx. Much like rings and earrings, bracelets can be set in silver. Silver used in Native American jewelry for women is a traditional, timeless touch that resembles jewelry from centuries ago. Native American jewelry for women is sturdy and durable yet beautiful and unique.