Navajo Turquoise Jewelry Meaning

After wwii this symbol disappeared from most native american art but it can be seen on vintage navajo weavings basketry and jewelry.

Navajo turquoise jewelry meaning.

Navajo jewelry and art has a long history as the tribe was formed from a variety of nomadic peoples of different backgrounds. It is the birthstone of december and signifies success. Elsewhere turquoise may come and go with fashion. The bear is a sacred animal of many meanings in native american culture.

The navajo tribe is the largest native american tribe in the entire united states southwest region. It is believed that a man named atsidi sani or old smith was the first navajo blacksmith meaning he worked with iron and it is believed that he learned silversmithing from a mexican silversmith between 1850. In deeper beliefs the butterfly is seen as a messenger from the. The whirling logs symbol is a broken cross symbol a type of solar cross with arms bent at right angles suggesting a whirling or turning motion.

The original native american silver smith a navajo learned to work silver and iron from mexicans hired by a trading post owner in the late 19th century. Referred to as the stone of life many believe it is a living mineral because of its ability to change colors depending on its environment. Most prevalently the symbol of the bear is a sign of spiritual and physical power and courage. They make round bead necklaces so perfect that the welding cannot be seen and the beautiful squash blossom pendants which the hopis like so much they even make spoons and white men s stuff anything that the traders want.

There is a wonderful fascination to turquoise a feeling that takes hold of a person who comes in contact with it for a while. Here turquoise is more precious than gold an enduring expression of native american indian culture. Turquoise holds a special significance in native american culture meaning something profound and specific to individual tribes. Modern jewelers still use many of these early methods.

Black white blue and green were the colors within the turquoise stone which represent the colors of the natural world. Native american turquoise jewelry today the turquoise stone has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years all over the world and is still a coveted and loved gem for modern times. Many navajo men are working in silver and they make many pretty designs setting turquoise into silver rings and bracelets and belt plates. Navajo turquoise jewelry would not be as iconic if it wasn t for the introduction of silversmithing to the navajo people.

The butterfly is a common symbol and is often seen in native american jewelry as an image of transformation. The most well known turquoise jewelers the navajo and the zuni have distinct jeweling styles and ideas associated with the mineral.