Jewelry

Squash Blossom Necklace

Multi-Stone Necklace

Multi-Stone Bracelets

Turquoise Bracelets

Dinosaur Bone Jewelry Sets

Bolos, Belts, & Buckles

Earrings and Bracelet Set

 

 

A Brief History of Native American Jewelry in the Southwest

Archeological evidence shows that turquoise found in Hohokam excavations in southern Arizona dates back to 200 B.C., even though turquoise, as a mineral deposit, is found in only a limited region of the American Southwest. Other stones were used as well, with trade bringing in material such as spiny oyster from its only source: off the coast of Baja California. Evidence is abundant that prehistoric Indians turned mined turquoise into jewelry – drilled beads and other ornamentation – with prehistoric mining operations uncovered in New Mexico, Colorado and the Kingman and Morenci regions of Arizona.

Descendants of the Anasazi, Mogollon and Mimbres exist in today’s Hopi and Pueblo people, and with the Diné (Navajo) arriving after the 14th century, and being greatly influenced by the existing Pueblo cultures, the ancient ways carried on. Later, as contact with the Spanish grew, their elaborate style of personal adornment bore influence as well, as did certain Moorish-inspired jewelry designs. Speculation remains as to what extent specific influence was felt: while designs of pomegranate blossoms may have influenced the well-known Diné (Navajo) Squash Blossom necklace, the Diné word for the “squash blossom” bead is yo ne maze disya gi, which simply means “bead that spreads out.” Whether as spoils of conflict or successful trade, German silver, copper and brass found their way into Native American jewelry as well.

By the mid-1800s the Diné (Navajo) had learned silver making and these techniques traveled throughout the region. Silver coins were melted as were silver tea pots and candlesticks when special orders from traders came in. The Zuñis, by the time they learned silver making, were already skilled metalworkers and, from prehistoric times, skilled lapidaries.

Today, at Turquoise Tortoise Gallery, third generation Diné (Navajo) jewelers, David and Alice Lister, carry on silver-working traditions with David making his own stamp dies and Alice doing much of their lapidary work. Their daughter, Dee Nez, has made her own jewelry since a teenager; Alice’s grandfather, Many Arrows, had used silver coins for silver-working in his day. Jeweler Danny Romero, a Yaqui artist, was one of five jewelers honored by President Reagan at The Night of The First Americans in Washington D.C. His intricate inlay work involves cutting hundreds of different stones into precise shapes to create portraits set in silver or gold. Native American jewelry-making continues to evolve, as it always has, representing some of the finest craftsmanship today.

Unmatched craftsmanship by many of the finest Native American jewelers working today makes the Turquoise Tortoise Gallery a destination gallery for anyone with an interest in Native American jewelry.