Native Jewelry

Turquoise was first discovered in Iran, where large deposits were harvested and fashioned into jewelry or studded into precious objects.  However, this is less well known compared to the turquoise which comes from the Southwest United States.  When the westward expansion began, American settlers encountered Native Americans and recognized the beautiful turquoise jewelry which had been celebrated in their cultures for centuries.  Turquoise deposits can be found in several areas of the Southwest including what are now the states of Arizona, Nevada, and California. 

The natural beauty of turquoise combined with the accessories and objects which it was fashioned into set the Southwest as the most recognized origin for these precious stones.  In modern times there are still several Native American tribes which create jewelry from turquoise harvested on their land.  There are also several manufacturers of turquoise jewelry worldwide specializing in accessories like turquoise earrings, pendants, and bracelets.

If someone were to say ‘jewelry of the sea’, most people would instinctively think of the lustrous pearls created by clams and mussels.  However, there is another precious material that is derived from organisms on the ocean floor: coral.  Coral is a living photosynthetic organism that covers much of the sea floor in parts of the world like Indonesia and Australia.  When it comes to coloration, coral is quite diverse; available in colors like pink, purple, red, orange, and green.  Polished coral makes beautiful jewelry that emphasizes its natural color. 

Some colors of coral, like pure red, are quite rare due to overharvesting, and thus pure red coral is sought after by jewelers.  Coral pendants, necklaces, and bracelets are popular around the world, often being complimented by metals like silver or precious stones like turquoise.