The History of Native American Jewelry

American Indians are well known for their expert skills in crafting carved items, pottery and jewelry for hundreds of years. This art behind much of American jewelry has been passed along from one generation to the next. To this day American Indians still make jewelry pieces by hand. 

In the era of the 1800's a Silversmith from Mexico, taught Indians living in the southwest how they could use silver when working with jewelry. Much of the Native American jewelry contains gemstones, including Turquoise, Tiger Eye, Opal, Jasper, Amethyst and Amber. The Turquoise gemstone dates back to over 5000 B.C when it was first mined. The stone still holds great popularity as it did so many years ago. The reason behind this popularity is due to the healing properties, used by a number of cultures worldwide. 

It is believed by many that every single gemstone has either a medicinal healing or spiritual property. Here you can find a few meanings behind these gemstones along with the American folklore associated with American jewelry. 

Amber 

Amber is a transparent and golden colored stone. It was once believed that Amber was pieces from the Sun that fell to Earth. However, Amber is fossilized resin derived from pine trees that are now extinct. The stone is associated with relieving minor infections and sore throats. 

Amethyst 

A purple colored stone that is associated with assisting with addictions, aids intuition, promotes peaceful energy. 

Aventurine 

A green colored gemstone widely used in Native American jewelry, is said to release fear and anxiety, boost tranquility and promotes leadership skills and decisiveness. 

Charoite 

This special gemstone originates from a river located in Siberia in Russia. The stone is a purple color, it is believed the stone promotes healing and courage and helps to release fears. 

Coral 

A red colored gemstone, aids in a healthy circulation process in the body to oxygenate the blood. 

Hematite 

This stone is a dark gray metallic color and is believed to revitalize and energize. It has a positive effect on the bloodstream and is believed to attune the mind. 

Howlite 

A white stone with a gray marbled effect, the stone is associated with easy breathing. 

Jasper 

A red-brownish color is said to protect against negativity, nurture, promote healing to bladder, spleen, liver and the kidneys. 

Lapis 

Ranges from a purple to dark blue color. Lapis is a popular stone among native Indians and is associated with increased sensitivity to ones higher power, self assurance and strength. The Denim Lapis stone is a lighter blue color featuring dark blue speckles. 

Malachite 

A dark green colored gemstone, believed to clarify emotions, remove obstruction, facilitate insights and represents loyalty and fidelity. 

Opal 

This milky white stone features spectral colors and is known to be the ' Gem of the Gods' very popular stones crafted into American jewelry pieces as it holds a type of mystical significance. Opal is associated with psychic vision. Opal is believed to strengthen ones memory and heighten any weak emotions. 

Onyx 

This black stone is associated with driving away bad tempers and unwanted thoughts. In folklore, the stone is thought to be a stone for stabilizing, during times associated with extreme stress. The stone prevents the body from losing energy. 

Snowflake Obsidian 

A black gemstone featuring white marbling. Obsidian is a type of Volcanic glass and is believed to help bring forth the truth. It maintains a balance in times of changes and helps to calm fears. 

Sodalite 

A dark blue stone that features white marbling. The stone is associated with stimulating courage, calming anguish and alleviating fears. It is also believed to promote a balance in spiritual growth and understanding. 

Sugilite 

This gemstone is a deep purple color associated with mysticism and spirituality. In addition, the gemstone is linked with increasing insight and physic abilities. 

Tiger-eye 

The stone is a golden color associated with balancing positive and negative energy. It brings about enhanced physic abilities and clarity. 

Turquoise 

The stone comes in various colors ranging from blue to green. Turquoise is an extremely popular stone mined in various countries including Australia and Afghanistan. In the U.S.A, the stone is mines in parts of New Mexico and Arizona. Native Americans have used the stone in American jewelry pieces as far back as the early 1600's. However, silver was introduced by the Spanish. Turquoise and silver combined was taught by a silversmith from Mexico later in the early 1800's. 

Wild Horse 

This white stone with black parts is mined in the area of Nevada and also goes by the names of White Buffalo or White Turquoise. The stone is made up of 25% Hematite and 75% Magnasite. This stone is regarded as the most popular in southwestern regions and is associated with revitalizing and energizing used widely in many American jewelry pieces.