Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Biography

Source(google.com.pk)
The use of turquoise has been around the Southwest since prehistoric times. The Anasazi used turquoise and shell to make beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings as well as to decorate effigies. Using turquoise in Southwestern jewelry is still popular today, not only by people that live in the Southwest, but by people worldwide. The use of turquoise in jewelry is a thousand-year tradition.

Native American Jewelry

The use of turquoise has been around the Southwest since prehistoric times. The Anasazi used turquoise and shell to make beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings as well as to decorate effigies. Using turquoise in Southwestern jewelry is still popular today, not only by people that live in the Southwest, but by people worldwide. The use of turquoise in jewelry is a thousand-year tradition.


Zuni Squash Blossom Necklace by Della Casa Appa, c. 1930
             
I remember growing up in New Mexico in the early 1970s and being part of the great Southwestern Indian jewelry bonanza. Any dealer from this time remembers the ‘70s with fond memories. One could not find enough material to fill demand. Gilbert Ortega, one of the kings of Native American jewelry, opened shops as fast as possible, using a plane to fly from city to city in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to fill orders. Like all good things the bottom fell out by the mid-70s and Native American jewelry sales and demand returned to normal.
             
I still see on a weekly basis clients who bring in items from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Many of these pieces have the same kind of look and feel. Unfortunately, for those who purchased their “squash blossom necklace” during the period of free love in America, they were heavy, ornate and expensive, and the price they paid then is not much more than the price in today’s market.

From an investment point of view, one should have been buying great old pieces made between 1870 and 1940. There are a few exceptions, but generally these pieces have continually increased in value, and in today’s market can easily demand in the tens of thousands of dollars. Artists like Charles Loloma of Hopi, who was considered expensive during the 1960’s and ‘70s, was a genius in regards to jewelry design and use of material. Loloma’s great work can now bring six figures. It’s not unusual for a great inlay Loloma gold bracelet to sell for $30,000 to $50,000. Today, one needs only to go as far as the Internet to see how many businesses sell Southwestern and Native American jewelry. This is the tricky part. How does one go about determining what is real, fake, over priced, or even native made? The internet is a great way to start. If you are interested in old Indian jewelry, search under “old pawn jewelry.” Websites that give lots of information including vintage dates, origin of maker, prices, dimensions, and multiple images are usually the best.

If the site has a “brick and mortar” location, or multiple store locations, this is generally a good sign, especially if they have been in business for a while. Businesses that just are Internet based need to be thoroughly checked out. Ask for authenticity certificates and return policies. When you are shopping for Native American jewelry, if the piece is described as “Indian style,” that is generally code for non-Native American Indian made. QVC and HSN, for example, have lots of “southwestern style jewelry” for sale. Make sure if you are paying for Native American Indian jewelry, it truly is native made.
             
Look for individuals selling jewelry that belong to organizations with high standards of authenticity. If you are looking for older Native American jewelry, membership in the Antique Tribal Art Dealer Association (ATADA) is a good sign. There are lots of “old style” Indian jewelry pieces in the marketplace. Its fine to buy this type of jewelry, and often it is wonderfully made and native, but make sure you not paying authentic vintage Native American prices.

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics

Native Indian Jewelry Indian Jewelry Sets Bangles Rings Box Designs Band Designs Lates Gold Earnings Designs Ads Photos Images Pics