Navajo Jewelry

Navajo Jewelry
Feared for their fighting prowess, a decision was made by the U. S. Government in 1861 to round up the Navajo Nation from their four corners homeland of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, to dispatch them to a wasteland in east/ central New Mexico. In 1864 U. S. militia led by Kit Carson prevailed. The Navajo surrendered and began the grueling 300 mile "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo Reservation. When their farms failed, white men began issuing families stamped copper food ration tickets. Taught by Mexican silversmiths called Plateros, the Navajo soon began forging exact copies of their ration tickets. In 1870, following four terrible years in which a quarter of their population died, the Navajo people were permitted to return to "Dinetah," which was reduced to approximately 1/5 their original homeland. Although many skills were lost, the Navajo had brought with them a new trade: jewelry making. Indian silversmiths acquired high status.Prior to 1920, the Navajo jeweler procured his silver by melting down coins received in trade. Turquoise and other stones were used as a means of complimenting the silver. Engraving and stamping was accomplished by chisel, shaped steel piping, awl, and punch. The design was strongly influenced by geometric patterns found on Mexican leatherwork. Traditional Navajo jewelry is symmetrical, repetitive and balanced in design. And nowdays Navajo can be found to create contemporay jewelry in other media. Our Navajo jewelry makers specializes in dreamcatcher earrings, pipe bone jewelry, peyote stitch jewelry, and we also have Navajo protection bracelets. Just click on the Navajo Jewelry link to see what we have. Navajo Jewelry Link