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BRIEF HISTORY
I think that most Native American Jewelers (silversmith) can trace the beginning of Native American jewelry back to the Dine’. From my studies, and from what the old people have told me, Native American jewelry started sometime in the 1850s.
Native American Jewelry first started with brass and copper wire for bracelets and pins. As you would probably guess coins also began to play a big part of Native American Jewelry in the old days.
By the 1890s, traders provided the Dine’ with tools. The Dine’ would make jewelry for pawn or trade. Pawn that became “dead” after a period of time could be sold. Unfortunately the Dine’ really never new what the worth of Native American jewelry was. Some Indians still do not know the worth of Native American jewelry is.
By the end of th 1800's and early 1900's, there began to be a market for tourist. Native American Jewelry began to flourish.
IF YOU ARE STARTING A COLLECTION.
The differences between authentic and imitation silver work are subtle, a great deal of Native American silversmiths lower their standards because it is profitable to the tourist. It is very easy to cut corners. Thinner gauges of silver, unclean torch work, poor cleaning and polishing and cheap stones are sold off every day. The Native American Jewelry that you will find on our site is authentic. We are Native American, and we make every piece found on this site.
TRADITIONAL vs. CONTEMPORARY
Most of the Native American Jewelry that you see on our site as well as many others are more contemporary pieces. Pieces from the 1850's did not have the high polish of the silver. The buffer simply was not available. Areas were blacked to show certain work. We have few pieces of traditional pieces within the site, however most of our traditional Native American jewelry are one of a kind art. It is usually requested by collectors.
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