Just as the Native Americans enjoyed the Opal so did the Romans who considered it a precious gemstone. Opal was included among the noble gems and was ranked second only to emerald by the Romans. A beautiful opal called the orphanus was set in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. It was described “as though pure white snow flashed and sparked with the color of bright ruddy wine, and was overcome by this radiance.” Opals are also set in the crown jewels of France. They were also often used in Native American jewelry for the natural beauty of the gemstone.
Most opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Most of the precious opal marketed in ancient times was obtained from occurrences in what is now Slovakia.
Did you ever imagine that jewelry from the past would be just as relevant today as it was hundreds or even thousands of years ago?
From earliest times, mankind and womankind have had a desire to adorn themselves with jewels. Many of these adornments started with shells and pretty rocks found by accident. These were strung together with sinews which was slowly replaced with silver and gold as man was taught or learned by experimentation how to work with such precious metals.
What would we do without our rings, necklaces, brooches, watch bracelets and belt buckles?
Not only are many of these things very functional but also makes us feel happier as it makes us look better
A lot of people often find themselves frustrated by the so called “rules” of fashion. People often say, for example, that you shouldn’t mix a brown belt with black shoes. Or perhaps they warn against jeans that don’t contain any back pockets. To the people that don’t follow fashion carefully, all of these rules can feel arbitrary and random. And one of these rules applies to sterling silver.
As such, you’re not supposed to mix silver and gold pieces of jewelry. So according to this rule, your sterling silver earrings should never be matched with your gold wedding band. But the good things about these rules are that the truly fashion forward minds can bend and break the rules in innovative and creative ways. That’s why so many jewelers have made a concerted effort to create one piece of jewelry that incorporates both silver and gold elements. I like to include a lot of pieces that accentuate the gemstone, not the band or chain, such as turquoise necklaces. By breaking this longstanding rule, the result is often something unique and innovative.
In “The Song of Hiawatha”, a popular poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the character of Hiawatha is actually drawn from the writings of Henry R. Schoolcraft, who had confused the real Hiawatha with a Chippewa deity. Longfellow’s version of events and character, therefore, in any way relates to the great Iroquois reformer. Unfortunately, there are no known images of Hiawatha.
Hiawatha was a skilled statesman and charismatic orator who was instrumental in persuading the Iroquois peoples, the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, and Mohawks, a group of Native North Americans who shared similar languages, to accept The Great Peacemaker’s vision and band together to become the Five Nations of the Iroquois confederacy. Thus the notion of the native politics emerges.
In our mind’s eye we can see Hiawatha on the banks of a river but also, perhaps, a maiden on the other bank resplendent in Native clothing and native jewelry waiting for her love on the other side.
We can all enjoy the Native Jewelry even in this modern day as the ability to work with silver and gems has been handed down from generation to generation. Some of the most gifted silversmiths are native and they are proud to share their culture with anyone who so desires.
Historical accounts tell us that Indians have been crafting and trading jewelry in the Western Hemisphere for centuries. Those indigenous to the American Southwest gained an especially lofty reputation for designing jewelry, but what made them stand a cut above the rest? For one thing, the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and other local tribes were not nomads; they lived in fully functional villages and had domesticated animals and abundant water sources. These conveniences allowed them time to perfect their jewelry-making techniques.
Raw materials were also prevalent in the Southwest, including the turquoise that would be gathered and fashioned into cosmetic adornments. American Indian turquoise jewelry is still widely touted today as being the pinnacle of that art form. Each individual piece carries with it the proud tradition of the craftsmen who came before.
In the hot summertime, nothing is cooler than wearing white clothes. The darker your clothes are, the hotter you will be because your dark clothes will absorb heat. White clothes, on the other had, reflect sunlight, and also just look cute in the summer. Turquoise jewelry looks especially striking and summery when worn with white clothing, so invest in some handmade Native American turquoise jewelry for the summer.
To really allow your jewelry to stand out, dress simply and let your turquoise jewelry make a statement. Try a white v-neck T-shirt and a denim skirt with a beautiful turquoise necklace, bracelet or ring. This look especially works with extra large pieces of jewelry, since the outfit is simple enough that the jewelry doesn’t overwhelm it. If you have blue eyes, a large turquoise necklace will make them look brighter and more vibrant, surely drawing compliments from all your friends. And no matter what, your turquoise jewelry will always be unique – no two turquoise stones are exactly the same and the natural streaks, lines and markings that you see on any given stone will set it apart from any other.
Many people are enamored with Native American jewelry for no other reason than the fact that they often turned rather plain or average looking components into something elaborate, beautiful, and ornate. To that end, some of the main items that were used in Native American jewelry were beads, shells, and discarded buttons. But these products became something stunning when it was incorporated into jewelry.
One of the most elaborate and interesting pieces of jewelry were the Native American necklaces. These were often strung with multiple strings of beads, so they could show off many different varieties and kinds of beads and shells. Some necklaces even featured pieces of bone or animal claw.
Traveling offers people an amazing opportunity to experience new cultures and new ways of life. And if you’re a frequent traveler, one of the best ways to remember your numerous trips and adventures is with various souvenirs from the different countries you’ve visited. These souvenirs shouldn’t be t-shirts and postcards, however. Rather, they should be something a little more indicative of that culture.
To that end, make sure that you pick up some authentic Native American turquoise jewelry if you’re ever traveling through the southwest states of America. These pieces of jewelry are truly beautiful, and they are also indicative of that area and that culture. As a souvenir, this is particularly useful, because you can actually wear it and enjoy it. And every time you do, it will remind you of your travels.
There’s really nothing to rival the vibrant colors that are created in nature. And if you doubt that, just take a look at turquoise. Turquoise is such a rich and unique color of blue, there’s no possible way to artificially create that particular brand of beauty and vibrancy. Because of its unique color quality, turquoise is a staple in modern jewelry making. It is common in everything from necklaces and earrings to rings and bracelets.
And spring is the perfect time to sport any and all turquoise jewelry. The effervescent quality of the blue will really complement the spring palette, and it will add a bit of exotic charm and appeal to any spring outfit. For the height of chic, pair a chunky turquoise and silver cuff with high waist cuff shorts and a tucked in short sleeve white blouse. For a bit of androgynous appeal, pair your ultra feminine shorts with some suspenders. With a quick makeup and hair change, this look will translate well from the office to after work drinks.
