The discovery of Native American Indian jewelry designs dates back to around 7000 BC. The early natives adorned themselves with pieces made from the materials that surrounded them. This included beads, shells and bone. They also used carvings that came from the antlers of the deer.
Native American Indian jewelry designs have a rich history. Its beginnings go back way before they were a people. The evidence of their existence shows they mined for the turquoise and other precious stones to use in jewelry making. They took these objects and created some of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry.
Types of Materials Used to Make Native American Indian Jewelry Designs
While the ancient Indians used objects that were different from the traditional silver and turquoise, their designs were still indigenous to their culture. Other semi-precious stones included alabaster, abalone and mother of pearl. In Native American culture, they use two main processes to produce Native American Indian jewelry designs and they include metalwork or beadwork.
Copper is the first metal they used in their designs. Later, they used silver and turquoise, which most people recognize today. Native American Indian jewelry designs are very familiar for their intricate beading patterns. They made beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and earrings using traditional and contemporary Native American Indian jewelry designs.
One of the earliest types of beads is the wampum bead, which they made from the quahog shell. The natives strung the beads on to long strings, and wove them into belts. Seed beads came a little later and replaced the wampum as a means of exchange. The native people quickly saw the value of this bead and began to make various types of jewelry in Native American Indian jewelry designs.
New Techniques Become the Mark of Distinction
Once the natives learned the art of silversmithing, metal Native American Indian jewelry designs started to flourish and grow. Before they learned to silvermith, Native American Indian jewelry designs consisted of pendants with etched designs, simple earrings, and beads made from silver and gold.
However, with their new-found skill, the Native jewelry designs became more intricate, and their styling became very distinctive. These designs have a look that is the result of fusing the new methods with the traditional ways.
Native American Indian Jewelry Designs Masters
Rodney Coriz is a well-known master artist of fine Native jewelry designs. He works mainly with inlay styles and many consider him a master in the field of modern contemporary Indian jewelry.
Terri Charlie was born in Tuba City, Arizona. He is a master silversmith, and he has been plying the trade, since the late 1980s. He loves keeping with the traditions of the old Native American Indian jewelry designs.
Native American Indian jewelry designs stand as a testament of the resilience and esthetic beauty of a people steeped in tradition. Theirs is a legacy of the history of this nation. Native American jewelry designs are as distinctive as they are beautiful, and they remind us of a proud part of the American heritage and landscape.