3 Gemstones Used Frequently in Native American Jewelry

There are many gemstones used in Native American jewelry, but among them, there are four that are most favored. If you are searching for authentic Native American jewelry near me, here is information on all four. It will help you judge whether the piece you are looking for is authentic.

 

Coral

Native American tribes did not use this stone before the Spanish came. The Spanish most influenced the Southwest Native Americans to use this gemstone in their jewelry. It is not that Native Americans hadn’t been using shells; for centuries, spiny oyster shells were used to make beads for jewelry. But with the new influence, deep red Mediterranean coral became one of the most sought-after materials. Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes used this gemstone to make their necklaces and other jewelry worn during ceremonial dances. When silversmithing became popular with these tribes, they set corals into silver items. The Zuni tribe especially loved coral, as red was a sacred color for them. They believed wearing jewelry made of coral would bring longevity and prosperity to the wearer. So, if the seller is telling that the piece of jewelry is from the Southwest, especially from the Zuni tribe dating back to the 19th century, it should have a coral alone or with other gemstones.

 

Turquoise

It is the gemstone we all imagine when considering authentic Native American jewelry. The use of turquoise goes back to the ancestral Puebloan tribe, and there was a thriving trade route and mines for this gemstone. The Native Americans believed spirits gifted this gemstone, so it is called Sky Stone. After the tribes learned silversmithing, the gem was increasingly used in all types of jewelry. Today, when we look for authentic Native American jewelry near me, pieces of jewelry with turquoise will be the most in number.

 

Mother of Pearl

Native American tribes widely used shells before the settlers came in. One such shell used was the Mother of Pearl shell. The Pueblo and Navajo especially loved making jewelry out of this material. The iridescent glow of Mother of Pearl jewelry is beautiful and ethereal. It symbolized power and protection as well as a gift from the ocean. 

 

So, these are three prominent gemstones you will frequently find in authentic Native American jewelry. The next time you buy one, be sure to check if it has one of these three gemstones.