Native American Jewelry - A Part of History

When it comes to jewelry, Native American Jewelry is one of the most sought after jewelries these days. This is due to the historical background and found that it has. Jewelry such as Native American Bracelets, were worn in early days as a way of expressing their status and tribal affiliations, especially for the Navajo tribe. Other tribes such as the Apache wore these jewelries to characterize with their historical successes. The Zuni and Santo Domingo tribes wore these jewelries because they believed that it helps them to gain supernatural powers.

Native American Jewelry is created based on the availability of the materials that can be found within the area of the creating tribe. Although these days, some of the materials used for creating these jewelries were only influenced by western countries. For instance, the use of silver was influenced by the Spanish habitancy to the Navajo tribe. Nowadays, this jewelry is normally made of silver and turquoise is normally the semi-precious gemstone that is used. Among them all, the bracelets are the ones with a more detailed found and inlaid with semi-precious gems.

There are four types of these bracelets. The Cuff bangle (which is the most popular), the Link Bracelet, the Weave Bracelet, and the Concho Bracelet, are the four types. The Weave bangle and the Concho bangle are somewhat identical, but the found of the Concho bangle was inspired from concho, which is a kind of belt.

Native American Jewelry is known for its intricate designs and historical backgrounds. There are a lot of designs for a person to select from. There are, however, some designs that are iconic in the jewelry world. Being a jewelry collector, you will never go wrong with selecting Native American Jewelry as a collection. Native American Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, and others are sold with new creative designs from time to time. They can be purchased straight through the internet or in jewelry shops. Collectors of these type of jewelries continue to increase in whole due to the beauty and fashion that it can give.

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Sandcast Native American Indian Jewelry

Sandcast Native American Indian jewelry making was first introduced by Navajo silversmiths in the early days nearby 1840. The process begins by using a sandcast, or tufa stone mold, then carving the manufacture into the stone. With this mold, a piece of silver jewelry is made and may come to be the scholar template from which all other sandcast jewelry pieces of the same manufacture are produced.

Sandcast jewelry making is done by hand and is very labor intensive. The Sandcasting recipe takes the artisans about three days to make a fair sized medium bracelet.

Sandcast jewelry making was introduced by using sandstone or tufa stone. Tufa stone is created from crushed volcanic ash which is relatively soft and easier to work with than sandstone when making the carvings. However Sandstone will hold up much better, but the Tufa stone is is the selection among Silversmith because the soft stone is easier to carve.

There are many processes complex in Sandcast jewelry making before the jewelry piece is finished. The artisan starts by cutting a stone into two pieces and grist both halves until they are smooth on one side. The tufa stone is sometimes drenched in water to keep the dust to a minimum while carving. Next, vents are carved into the stone outward towards the edges of the stone so that the highly heated air from the molten silver will have an leave from being trapped in the mold, thus damaging the jewelry design. The next step involves heating the mold with a torch forming carbon on the inside of the halves preventing the silver from sticking to the mold when the halves are separated. Ultimately the mold is ready to start the silver casting.

The halves of the tufa stone are placed together with the pour channels aligned. The, artisans use a whole of methods, such as wrapping with wire, plywood board and clamps, or rubber straps tightly nearby the halves to keep them procure while pouring the molten silver.

The silver is then heated in a crucible with a torch until it is at a high temperature of 1850 degrees. Traditionally, temperature was judged by the color of the molten silver. That is still the most common recipe used by many artisans today, but now use crucibles that where the heat is digitally controlled. This increases the opening for a victorious pour. The temperature of the surface air must also be taken into consideration. If it is very cold, the silver can come to be too cool before it runs straight through the mold. When the silver is judged to be hot enough, it is poured into the mold straight through the carved channel.

The molten silver is then poured down straight through the channel and into the carved mold. Thus the piece is said to have been gravity cast. The tufa stone mold is allowed to cool and the silver piece is removed.

A tufa mold may allow some pours if the manufacture is small and relatively simple. With larger, more complex designs, one or two pours is normally all that can be made from a tufa mold before the stone breaks or the manufacture is ruined by the heat of the silver. The artisan at this point may determine that the jewelry piece obtained from the Tufa mold will be in quiz, and start the process of making molds of the more stronger Sandstone.

After the jewelry piece has cooled, polishing the fulfilled, jewelry is done in two phases. First the silver piece is polished wax and then washed to take off the excess wax. Next the jewelry piece is dry polished with buckskin or a dry cloth wheel, and finally, stones, if any, are set. Tufa and sandcasting processes are very labor intensive, taking many hours to make the mold, then carving the manufacture into the two stones, depending on the detail. The fulfilled, piece have cost the artisan many hours which must be taken into inventory in setting the price of jewelry created by the sancast jewelry making method.

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Native American Engagement Rings

For couples seeking a uniquely designed engagement ring or wedding bands, try finding at the Native American designed rings. Many couples are choosing Native American jewelry because they want to reflect their heritage, believe in the symbolism, or in the ideals that are manifested by such jewelry. You do not have to be Native American to appreciate the attractiveness and craftsmanship that goes into their jewelry. Many of the designs are inspired by the spiritual beliefs of a tribal nation, and vary from tribe to tribe.

Most of the Native American jewelry makers today come from a long line of artisans, their knowledge of their tribal history and the symbols is indubitably hundreds of years old. The jewelry they create has smooth, level lines and the designs are never lopsided or uneven. Their stones are tightly fit into their settings. You will not see shoddy craftsmanship in their jewelry. Native American engagement rings and wedding bands are most often made of silver, though some rings can be found made of gold or platinum. They also traditionally use natural resources such as wood, hemp, hematite, jade, or quartz to make rings from. Their gemstones are commonly natural stones like turquoise (the most popular, meaning wealth and prosperity), mom of pearl, agate, opal, jade, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, or carnelian that have been polished, but never faceted. It is not unusual to find carvings of a buffalo, wolf, eagle, horse, or bear incorporated into the construct of their rings as these to the Native American recount spirit guides or protective totems. Symbols like a leaf, running water, or mountains are also ordinarily depicted in their jewelry as well because these keep the wearer related to the land, or mom Earth. Some geometric patterns consisting of metal and stone are also symbolic to clear tribes.

If you live in the Southwestern United States then you probably have great access to many superb craftsmen, either on the reservations or in specialty shops. Otherwise, you can go online to the following retailers to view and order Native American Jewelry:

o Ugly Otter

o Bear Claw Jewelry

o Ben Nighthorse

o Native American Traditions

o Native Arts Trading

o The Navajo Silversmith

o American Trails

o Eagle Rock Trading Post

o Touch Wood Rings

While most indubitably made Native American jewelry is priced reasonably, some items can be quite expensive. Just keep in mind that you are choosing rings that have a spiritual meaning in most cases, and these blessings are meant to enrich your lives together.

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The History of Native American Bone Chokers

Bone chokers originally were made from bird legs. They were seldom used as just ornamentation. They were used as physical protection for the throat from a possible knife attack. The jugular vein is in the neck and is lethal if cut. They were also used in conjunction with physical protection as a spiritual protection for the voice. Because most birds are noted for the sounds they make or for their singing quality. The spirit of the bird could be invoked to protect the person's voice from ailments, jealousy or fatigue. There is also a cultural saying for men - "You become a man when you can speak your heart to the population - clearly and without fear - honor, bravery and victory are yours." The bird was not all the time killed to make the chokers. Most often they were found after a predatory animal had already killed them or they had died a natural death. This was carefully a good sign when found. Not only for the population who needed the chokers but for the bird, so it's life would be of honor, value and service. In all instances every part of every animal was used. Nothing was thrown away. This is done out of respect for the sacrifice the animal made and to honor it's life.   

In some cases, the leg bone of a definite bird was needed. Prayers were made to the bird (usually an eagle, hawk or owl). The hunter would fast and pray sometimes for days on end. He would wait until the bird came to him. A typical story of this sort of thing, is the bird came to the hunter and landed right in from of him and sat without inspiring until the hunter took it's life. They say that while the bird sits in front of the hunter. They converse with their hearts. The bird has to willingly and happily give it's life for the purpose needed or the hunter will not kill it. Among the people, giving of life so that others may live is the extreme ending to our existence on the earth.   Bone chokers made from the bones of bird's legs were practical. They already had a hole through the center where the marrow was. They were already cylindrical and only a microscopic smoothing and shaping was needed. The leg bones were cleaned and smoothed and shaped by boiling them until softened. Flint was used to trim any irregularities and a flat stone was used to shine and flat the surface. Beads were smaller bones which had been sliced or cut. These bones were sometimes colored with a range of minerals, most coarse was red earth (vermillion). The red earth was mixed with fat and then rubbed repeatedly over the bone while the bone was still soft from boiling. To keep the color they were normally rubbed with fat to create a shiny coating. This also kept the bones from becoming brittle.  

Real sinew from the leg of a deer or buffalo was used to thread the bones and beads. Deer or buffalo sinew was chosen because the strips of sinew were longer than other animals. Before needles a bone awl was used to punch holes in the hide spacers for threading the sinew. Each bone choker had very extra and personal meaning for the wearer. Many times they were dreamed prior to their making. It was seldom that the wearer would make their own choker. There were definite population in the tribe that did this. Many times they were assistants to a medicine someone or a medicine someone themselves. On the opening that the wearer made their own choker it was normally because they dreamed it this way. Although, much help and aid was given to the dreamer while development the choker.  

Today it is much the same. You can see all kinds of chokers with symbols and definite colors for the wearer. Wolf, bear and eagle are very common. Purchasing a choker from isn't any separate from the original way of compensation. Which would be contribute the maker with a blanket, a horse, food, etc. Any thing that is requisite to declare life was appropriate payment. So, today we have money.  

As a someone who makes these chokers, I consider it a great honor when someone purchases mine. Prays are made before I even touch one of the materials that go into a choker. Then songs are sung and more prayers are made for the well-being of the wearer as the choker is assembled. Choices in color and symbols come from deep prayer. As if I already know the soon to be owner. Interestingly, as soon as I cease one, an inquiry comes or a purchase occurs.     

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American History - Native Cultures

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Native Americans, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening report presents some of the most recent news on the branch of Native Americans.

Native-American Cultures

The America that greeted the first Europeans was, thus, far from an empty wilderness. It is now plan that as many citizen lived in the Western Hemisphere as in Western Europe at that time -- about 40 million. Estimates of the number of Native Americans living in what is now the United States at the onset of European colonization range from two to 18 million, with most historians tending toward the lower figure. What is safe bet is the devastating effect that European disease had on the indigenous citizen roughly from the time of preliminary contact. Smallpox, in particular, ravaged whole communities and is plan to have been a much more direct cause of the precipitous decline in the Indian citizen in the 1600s than the numerous wars and skirmishes with European settlers.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one minuscule bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Indian customs and culture at the time were extraordinarily diverse, as could be expected, given the expanse of the land and the many distinct environments to which they had adapted. Some generalizations, however, are possible. Most tribes, particularly in the wooded eastern region and the Midwest, combined aspects of hunting, gathering, and the cultivation of maize and other products for their food supplies. In many cases, the women were responsible for farming and the distribution of food, while the men hunted and participated in war.

By all accounts, Native-American society in North America was closely tied to the land. Identification with nature and the elements was integral to religious beliefs. Their life was essentially clan-oriented and communal, with children allowed more freedom and tolerance than was the European custom of the day.

Although some North American tribes advanced a type of hieroglyphics to maintain safe bet texts, Native-American culture was primarily oral, with a high value located on the recounting of tales and dreams. Clearly, there was a good deal of trade among various groups and strong evidence exists that neighboring tribes maintained farranging and formal relations -- both amiable and hostile.

There's a lot to understand about Native Americans. We were able to supply you with some of the facts above, but there is still fullness more to write about in subsequent articles.

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Crafters supply Examples of Native American Beading on the History Tree

Deb Tiger is a maker of primary Native American clothing. She also makes Native American crafts. She is just one of the Native American artists who have items placed on the History Tree at Prairie Star Gallery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At the 10th annual tradition at the downtown Sioux Falls native art gallery, there is a twelve foot tree that is covered in decorations.

Deb Tiger's tiny baby moccasins are considered sewn with beads in primary patterns. She also made little replicas of garments she makes for pow-pow dancers and whatever else who wants primary Native American Clothing.

Everything on the tree is hand made using Native American primary techniques and materials. Every reservation and tribal group in South Dakota is represented and has contributed items for the History Tree, which will be on display until the end of January.

The ornaments that are for sale were made by about a hundred families who contributed over a thousand items for the tree. Every member of the family works on the ornament: The father, mother, children, grand children all work together.

The tree features a broad range of hand-made items: baby moccasins, tiny breastplates and headdresses, small sage wreaths, willow and quilled medicine wheels, and medicine bags. Hanging on the tree are beaded dream catchers, and many sacred animals. The ornaments are made from all things from leather to stained glass.

Other Crafters

Ben Spirit Track made medallions from beads, a craft he learned from his grandmother. He hopes that the tree will pass some of the Native American beading traditions onto hereafter generations, by rousing interest. One of his medallions is made of leather and is round with beads stitched into the center. It symbolizes the four directions and the round shape is symbolic of the Earth.

Jaida Gray Eagle made beaded dream-catchers for the tree.

Ben McBride in case,granted some little drums. He learned beading from his family and in school where primary beading techniques are still taught to the children.

Although beading is primary in Native America culture, many other cultures world wide have beading traditions. The Bead bungalow [http://www.thebeadcottage.com] can help you with ideas and inspiration for your beading projects.

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The Northwest Coast Native American Potlatch Ceremony

One of the most popular ceremonies among Native peoples is the Northwest Coast Native American potlatch (or potlach of Native Indians of the Pacific Northwest). The potlatch has been practiced by Native nations such as the Haida, Salish, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Kwakwaka'wak for thousands of years.

Potlatches can be held to celebrate births, rites of passages, weddings, funerals, puberty and honoring of deceased. These celebrations will typically consist of a feast, music, some theatrical performances intriguing tribal masks and spiritual events. The host family of each potlatch will also demonstrate their wealth and communal status by distributing gifts to the guests. Gifts included food, canoes, blankets, copper and many other types of items. Potlatches will often elevate the prestige of the hosts even more.

Potlatches were also used to vocalize or formally replacement to heirs, inevitable economic or ceremonial privileges. The gifts were therefore used as payments to the guests for being witnesses to claims since written records were not produced.

Lower status families would hold potlatches on a local scale while the elite would request guests from many tribes to grander events. Sometimes, rival families would be in competition to outdo each other in by comparison potlatches. The potlatch itself would either be held inside a large longhouse or outdoors.

Unfortunately, missionaries carefully the potlatch to be demonic and satanic. As a result, they were able to get the Canadian government to ban potlatches in 1885. The Us government also settled a similar ban in the late 19th century. Potlatches continued on a much smaller scale and in secrecy away from non-native eyes. The bans on the potlatch were at last lifted in the Us in 1934 and in Canada in 1951.

Potlatches are still held today but of course, the types of gifts are also more modern and can consist of useful household items, Native art as well as cash.

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