The Navajo are the largest tribe in the United States of America and many of them are Navajo jewelry artists. The tradition of Navajo jewelry artists creating stunning bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings in the Southwestern United States dates back many years and has a rich historical background. Today, Navajo jewelry artists continue to produce striking pieces of art with a special focus on silver and turquoise.

A Brief History of Navajo Jewelry Artists

It is believed that one of the oldest Navajo jewelry artists was a blacksmith who learned to create silver from a Mexican jewelry maker in the early 1850s. Early Navajo jewelry artists worked mostly with silver and created objects such as buckles, rings, beads, crosses, and earrings.

In the mid to late 1800s Navajo jewelry artists began to melt down silver from coins then engrave designs into them to create unique patterns for belt buckles and beads.

It was not until the late 1800s, around 1880, that Navajo jewelry artists began to use the beautiful bluish-green mineral turquoise in their creations. Turquoise became a popular addition to jewelry worn by both men and women and it was most often set into silver. Navajo jewelry artists specialized in creating necklaces of silver inlaid with turquoise resembling the pomegranate fruit to represent their pride. Necklaces also often contained a horseshoe shape which has Mexican origins.

Navajo Jewelry Artists Today

Today, Navajo jewelry artists continue to create beautiful ornamental jewelry, belts and more. Over the years, Navajo jewelry artists have expanded their repertoire and currently create much more diverse designs, but they are all based on the rich cultural traditions of their tribe.

For instance, “squash blossom” necklaces are still one of the most popular items made by Navajo jewelry artists today and they originated in the late 1800s. Navajo jewelry artists today merge more modern styles with the older traditions of silversmithing to create stunning artwork.

Navajo jewelry is not only worn by Native Americans today. In fact, it can be found in most jewelry stores throughout the United States of America. Traditionally, pieces made by Navajo jewelry artists are given as gifts to both men and women for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other special events.

While they do not necessarily represent anything in particular, most people who wear Navajo jewelry have an attachment to each individual piece as it is hand-crafted, inventive, modern, and has an interesting history.