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“Fashionable Native American Jewelry”

Native American Jewelry. Native American jewelry occupies a distinct place in the world of jewelry. We’re all familiar with the beautiful silver and turquoise rings and necklaces, with their often ornate and intricate designs. Perhaps not so many of us are aware of the rich history, symbolism and traditions inherent in Native American jewelry, practiced to this day by Native artisans.

Most of the Native American jewelry we find on the market today comes from the American southwest, the predominant source of turquoise in what is now the United States.

Archaeologists have unearthed turquoise used in necklaces and earrings dating back to about 200 B.C.  Although other tribes, such as the Apache and Pueblo were indigenous prior to the Navajo, it was mainly the Navajo who developed the art of Native American jewelry.

The Spanish and the Pueblo tribe were influential in Navajo designs. The ornate and intricate Moorish patterns and designs were incorporated into elaborate Navajo interpretations. Spanish designs of the pomegranate blossom were eagerly interpreted by the Navajo, eventually resulting in the squash blossom necklace.

The Navajo valued shapes and designs of the Spanish-Moorish influence, but only for the visual aspect. The original meanings of the Moorish crescent and pomegranate blossom had no significance in the resulting Navajo jewelry.

It was not until around 1850 that silver smithing entered the venue of Native American jewelry. Mexican silversmiths traded silver and techniques with the Navajo and Pueblo. Mexican silver coins became the favored source of silver in the making of jewelry items. New types and styles of jewelry were devised, including rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and hair ornaments. The famous concho belts were another result of the exchange between cultures.

Soon, the crafting of Native American jewelry spread across the southwest. The Zuni and Hopi tribes developed distinctive slants on their new knowledge. The Zuni were particularly skilled in working gems and stones, using silver in their designs in ways the Navajo and Pueblo did not.

The Hopi also used their symbols and designs to produce a genre that was distinctive to their culture, incorporating pottery designs of birds, animals and tribal symbols dating to the 15th century.

For some time, turquoise was the most widely-used stone in all Native American jewelry, probably due to the fact that it was plentiful in the southwest and the symbolism of the stone to each tribe. All the tribes attributed different meanings and powers to turquoise, but was revered by all.

Eventually, gold work was integrated into the store of materials used in the making of Native American jewelry.  Other non-traditional materials, especially stones such as coral and gaspeite and mother-of-pearl soon became popular additions to the lapidaries work box.

Today, Native American jewelry as an art transcends individual tribes, making identification of a piece as Navajo or Hopi difficult. Tribal artists integrate symbols, designs and techniques into a synthesis of many tribes, becoming individual and masterful works of art, commonly known as Native American jewelry.

“Amethyst Jewelry”

Amethyst jewelry. For women, jewelry is not just an accessory.  It is a way of saying who you are, what you stand for, or even what kind of mood you are in.  Amethyst jewelry can show people all of those things and it can be worn in such a large variety of ways that you can have a new look everyday.

When amethyst is put in a simple silver setting – a ring, a pendant, or a bracelet – it can portray a sense of carefree style that is often irresistible.  Most people are naturally drawn to those who appear to be relaxed, carefree, and unfettered by the problems of the world.  Your jewelry can suggest those things to other people.  Amethyst, when combined in a style such as simple pendant on a cord, suggests that not a lot of thought went into it but gives a unique look.

Amethyst jewelry can also be made to give a very classy, sophisticated appearance.  When showcased in a gold setting, perhaps in a matching earring and necklace set, it can make a woman look very put together.  In the business world, looking put together is essential to women.  Women who have an unfinished look often don’t go far in their chosen career.  When a woman looks as if she can’t pull her look together it suggests to others that she can’t pull her business together either.  Classy, sophisticated jewelry can inspire confidence in those you come across in your business day and amethyst jewelry has an understated look that is important in the business world.  When understatement is combined with gold it can be a winning combination.

The amethyst is also believed to be a source of power and business strength.  If you believe in the power of gemstones (and increasing numbers of people of all lifestyles are beginning to see their powers), wearing amethyst jewelry can make you feel confident in your business dealings and in your personal life.  When you are working on an important business deal or something you wish to have a personal victory over, the amethyst may give you the extra edge you need to carry it through successfully.

Your jewelry says a lot about you and wearing amethyst jewelry can help portray the image you wish to get across.  Whether it is your day off and you’re looking for a simple piece of jewelry or an important business meeting or even a night out on the town, there is a piece of amethyst jewelry to suit every occasion.

“Tips for Buying Amber Jewelry”

Amber jewelry. Tips for buying Amber jewelry. Amber is a fascinating material, so unique and beautiful in its appearance that it has its own color named after it. Although amber bracelets and amber pendants use amber as a precious gem, it is not properly a gemstone at all, but rather fossilized resin which is millions of years old. Many amber bracelets and amber pendants actually have small insects from 30 million years ago trapped inside their rich, lusterous, semi-transpartent forms. An amber bracelet or amber pendant is really the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates beauty, or antiquity.

When buying and amber bracelet or amber pendant, you do not have to consult experts, as you do with other valuable jewlery. Unlike a diamond, an amber bracelet or amber pendant is always imperfect and much more visibly unique than most precious gems. The thing about an amber bracelet is to make sure that you appreciate the hues and patterns inside of it, the shape and appearance of anything trapped inside of it, and other such fine qualities found in both an amber bracelet and an amber pendant. It really shouldn’t matter whether or not it is valuable – what matters is that your amber bracelet is completely unique, and could never be mistaken for another one.

Another neat thing about amber is that it is not nearly as expensive or valuable as precious minerals such as diamonds, rubies, and saphires. You can buy an amber bracelet or amber pendant for 40 or 50 dollars, a tiny fraction of what a diamond bracelet, or a ruby pendant would cost you. And an amber bracelet is far more striking than a diamond, in my oppinion. The modern world is filled with things that sparkle brightly and catch the light, or glow from their own power. Diamonds look just like everything else, but few things today have the dark, moody glow of an amber bracelet or amber pendant.

Of course, an amber bracelet is not a gift for everyone. Sometimes it might not fit skin tone or personality correctly, but besides that, there are other issues. An amber bracelet or amber pendant with an insect trapped inside can be a fascinating gift for many people, but caution should be exercised, as some people are grossed out by bugs! You wouldn’t want to give your sweetie an amber bracelet only to have her have to get rid of it in disgust because of the bug inside.