Navajo Jewelry
Whether you're drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver Navajo
Jewelry or the earth tone colors of Indian pottery, having some
knowledge
about American Indian arts and crafts can help you get the most
for your money. Be aware that some unscrupulous retailers want
to take your money in exchange for imitation American Indian
arts and crafts.
Buying Tips
American Indian arts and crafts are sold through many outlets,
including tourist stores, gift shops and art galleries. Here
are some tips to help you shop wisely:
Buy from an established dealer who will give you a written guarantee
or written verification of authenticity.
Ask if your item comes with a certification tag. While not all
authentic Indian arts and crafts carry this tag, those that do
are certified by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to be genuine.
Note:
Handcrafted Native American jewelry is an art form intended for
daily use—silver actually will tarnish less when you wear
it. But there are several special precautions you need to keep
in mind to make sure you don't harm your jewelry. First, never
expose your silver jewelry to detergents, which can be harsh
on many stones used in Native jewelry. Although it's tempting
to use commercial jewelry cleaners on your silver pieces, these
cleaners can be very harmful to jewelry with stones or pieces
that have been silver oxidized (they are blackened in areas to
create the design). Instead, use a professional jewelry cloth
or glove to keep your pieces clean. When storing jewelry, wrap
it in flannel and place it in a box to keep it from tarnishing
and getting scratched. For heishi and turquoise-bead necklaces,
place them full-length, not bent, to prevent breakage of individual
stones.
Navajo Jewelry: Information for Kids
Millicent Rogers Museum For Kids - Navajo Jewelry
The History of American Indian Jewelry
Indian jewelry, as it is known today, had origins that probably
predate the advent of the persons we describe as American Indians
or Native Americans.
For suggested links, and comments, please email:
webmaster@navajo-indian.org
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