REAL Native American Jewelry~

[Melora24]

Here's a nice little compliment piece

http://www.castlegap.com/pages_item/cuff24529.html

Yes, it would look great with it! Not sure it would match my not-NAJ stack though (you can see it on the stacking and layering thread)

 

[susieserb]

Speaking of stacking; you can do this with necklaces. I bought the spiney oyster button necklace from my NAJ store along with the branch coral old pawn necklace. They make terrific stacks with these other pieces


But at the end of the day. I think simple stack is easier on my neck

 

[susieserb]

Here's my new bolo; per my sister in Dallas apparently NAJ is going to be the new IT style with prices going through the roof (hummmm). Any hoo Cher is on the hunt for MORE per twitter.
http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/05/you...-ad.html?om_rid=AAAcNJ&om_mid=_BVZh46B9CIm6qJ

 

[cdtracing]

A question for you ladies that love & wear NAJ....do you prefer sterling silver, nickle silver, or do you mix the two?

 

[jellyv]

A question for you ladies that love & wear NAJ....do you prefer sterling silver, nickle silver, or do you mix the two?

"Nickel silver" is a base metal that resembles silver but isn't. It isn't used by good smiths--nobody is going to set good stones in nickel.

Modern silver is sterling, but antique NA silver was coin silver, with a different silver content. Both of these have value and are used by good jewelry artists.

I only collect NA jewelry in silver.

 

[Freckles1]

Speaking of stacking; you can do this with necklaces. I bought the spiney oyster button necklace from my NAJ store along with the branch coral old pawn necklace. They make terrific stacks with these other pieces





But at the end of the day. I think simple stack is easier on my neck

Gorgeous!!

 

[susieserb]

A question for you ladies that love & wear NAJ....do you prefer sterling silver, nickle silver, or do you mix the two?

No nickel only coin or sterling silver, HTH!

BTW just a gentle reminder at bolo can become a pendant too. I love this thing.

The light is hitting the stone washing it out, IRL its much more pigmented.

 

[susieserb]

So Summer is almost here and I'm starting to wear my NAJ in spades (I find that my Chanel pearls and baubles are great for the colder months) but once those blue skies and intense rays of sun start to shimmer it's coral and turquoise baby

 

[BigPurseSue]

Here's my new bolo;

Gorgeous! I love the deep blue of that stone. Is it modern or vintage? I can see wearing that with long boho-style chains and a linen peasant-style shirt or dark blazer. Think it looks pretty cool worn pendant style too.

 

[cdtracing]

"Nickel silver" is a base metal that resembles silver but isn't. It isn't used by good smiths--nobody is going to set good stones in nickel.

Modern silver is sterling, but antique NA silver was coin silver, with a different silver content. Both of these have value and are used by good jewelry artists.

I only collect NA jewelry in silver.

No nickel only coin or sterling silver, HTH!

BTW just a gentle reminder at bolo can become a pendant too. I love this thing.

The light is hitting the stone washing it out, IRL its much more pigmented.

Thanks for your input. I have some NAJ but it's set in silver. I prefer silver to the Nickle Silver. I'm getting back in to adding to what I have but am looking for a reliable, reputable online dealer. Is there anyone you would recommend? I really want to purchase some Old Pawn NA items. I've been checking Ebay but there is so much that is Nickle silver & that's not what I'm looking for. The jewelry I have already was purchased in the early 70's. I would really appreciate any help you ladies could give me on a reputable dealer. Thanks!

 

[alice87]

What interesting information! Thank you for posting it. I had no idea that blue turquoise can turn green over time.

Some years back, the US news show Dateline NBC did an investigative segment on buying turquoise jewelry. They went to Santa Fe and purchased a wide variety of "American Indian" jewelry from both the famous jewelry market and from high-end jewelers in the area. Then they tested it to see if the stones were really turquoise. Most of it was not. Including an uber-pricey bracelet that a high-end jewelry store insisted was "dead pawn."

They claimed that one can only tell for certain that a stone is real turquoise if you try to burn it. Real turquoise burns. Faux-turquoise resins do not. They melt like you would expect plastics to melt.

They also showed how jewelry makers can buy bags of faux-turquoise resin at craft stores and by simply adding water to the powder can stir up something that looks indistinguishable from real turquoise.

I look at some of the "Indian" jewelry in my jewelry box that I bought on ebay over the years and honestly some does look like plastic. And it does seem like questionable sellers--you know, that guy in Minnesota who's sold dozens of "dead pawn" kachina necklaces that all look the same, and have no markings but he claims they are all probably sterling--have proliferated.

But turquoise is my favorite color (I'm still looking for the perfect pale turquoise nail polish, in case anyone can recommend one), so I wear the probably-fake stuff nonetheless.

This sounds pretty frightening. I have few pieces but not many. I am afraid of buying turquoise online. I don't want any resin either.

 

[susieserb]

Thanks for your input. I have some NAJ but it's set in silver. I prefer silver to the Nickle Silver. I'm getting back in to adding to what I have but am looking for a reliable, reputable online dealer. Is there anyone you would recommend? I really want to purchase some Old Pawn NA items. I've been checking Ebay but there is so much that is Nickle silver & that's not what I'm looking for. The jewelry I have already was purchased in the early 70's. I would really appreciate any help you ladies could give me on a reputable dealer. Thanks!

I'll PM you.

 

[susieserb]

Gorgeous! I love the deep blue of that stone. Is it modern or vintage? I can see wearing that with long boho-style chains and a linen peasant-style shirt or dark blazer. Think it looks pretty cool worn pendant style too.

Old Pawn from the 50's

 

[alice87]

I'll PM you.

Hello Susie, can you PM me too? Thank you!

 

[cdtracing]

Thought I would post a couple of pics of what I'm wearing today....

Couldn't decide on what necklace to wear with the heshi strands. I finally went with the Apache piece in the 3rd picture. It's from the 60's.