|
Native Americans make use an assortment of raw materials to create their beautiful jewelry. The living spirit of nature plays a vital role in Native American life. The earth provides for the people, and the raw earth is what the fires forge. Most of the ancient jewelry was created with colorful stones and shells, which were beaded and strung on woven plant fibers. Its no mystery why the southwestern native tribes favored the brilliant gems and jewels they did. The same stones are still used today and continue to strike awe in the eyes of their beholders. Over the years Native American jewel craft has evolved, changing with the winds of time. The people mold and shape their jewels as the world changes around them, continuously flowing like an endless river. Discovery of new mines gave a variety of styles to choose from. Trade among the people also played a vital role. Foreign influences and international trade has allowed these isolated tribes to have a vast supply of stones and shells from across the globe. 
 |  |  |
Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate compound of aluminum and copper, it is greenish-blue opaque material, fairly fragile with hardness around that of glass. It is not hard to imagine why these people choose to use their most cherished stone as a center piece in their jewelry. Native tribes of the southwest have mastered the use of turquoise and their jewelry using this stone can be seen around the world.
 |  |  |
Corals are marine animals which are found in tropical oceans, they are an important in the support and creation of ocean reefs. Corals produce a hard skeleton made from calcium carbonate secretions. They come in many shapes and colors, Native Americans prefer to use red corals which are rare. Because natural red coral is becoming so scarce many other shades are died to give that deep red look.
 |  |  |
Less Common Metals, Stones and Shells.
Though silver, coral and turquoise are by far the most prized materials in southwestern jewelry, there are many other minerals, metals, shells and stones Native Americans have used in their collections. In fact there are over 100 types of gems and jewels found in their jewelry. These other materials are usually used to compliment the classical silver turquoise look and are not usually centerpieces. Here are a few examples of some more frequently seen materials in the Native American jewelry industry.
Wholesale prices on precious and semiprecious stone beads, natural pearls, metal findings, and other luxury jewelry making supplies.
Onyx a form of quartz which is made from a network of silicon and oxygen. It comes in many colors however the most commonly form seen in Native American jewelry is black. The material can seen waxy at times and is slightly transparent, When mined it is actually a deep gray, it is later treated and died to become black. This similarity in color with Jet can often cause some confusion, onyx is much heavier and stronger.
 |  |  |
Charoite is an alteration of limestone, after exposure to heat pressure and association of different alkali substances. Its color scheme is usually a swirling and clashing of lavender, violet and purples. It has been known as a cleansing in healing stone in some parts of the world.
 |  |  |
Copper is an chemical element, it is very good conductor of electricity and heat. Turquoise is one of the byproducts of a copper oxidation reaction with other salts. Because copper is so malleable it can be easily shaped into desired shapes. Though copper is usually seen in native American jewelry as a secondary material used to help excaudate the sterling silver, it can also be the main base or be used for other functions such as clasps on a concho belt.
 |  |  |
Gold is also a chemical element; it is one of the most sought after materials on earth, it is most well known with its association with money. Gold is seen an most types of jewelry making and fashion. In Native American jewelry it is usually seen in conjunction with sterling silver to give depth and contrast to the metal designs.
 |  |  |
Jet is a form of fossilized wood from conifer trees, it is lightweight and soft, its colors can range from very dark brown to completely black. Jet can be easily shaped in sculpted, which makes it ideal to be used to make fine shapes in Native American jewelry. It is commonly seen in inlay designs with require different small shapes.
 |  |  |
Lapis is a very prized, intensely blue colored stone. It is very marble like and is formed from a process called contact metamorphism, which is the re-crystallization of preexisting rocks due to changes of temperature and pressure. Its beautiful and its polished and can be seen in jewelry in many different cultures.
 |  |  |
Malachite also known as copper carbonate, it is a beautiful green mineral crystal which forms from weathering on copper compounds. Malachite is very soft and easy to shape making it a good for jewelry making. Native Americans usually place it along side other, more valuable stones.
 |  |  |
Opal is a mineraloid gel which is colorless in its pure form. Impurities with in the substance cause it to have a wide range of dazzling colors ranging from dark yellow to purple. Its translucent, shiny luster makes it an attractive addition to some jewelry pieces.
 |  |  |
A spiny oyster is a ocean dwelling mollusks. These creatures form a hard protective shell to shield their soft bodies and blend in to their surrounding. The shell they create is a highly desired material used to make jewelry, hard enough to maintain its shape yet soft enough to sculpt. The rustic brown color fits into the southwestern styles of the Native American tribes.
 |  |  |
