REAL Native American Jewelry~

[jellyv]

Okay, here's a terrible selfie showing the scale of my big bow and arrow earrings. Godawful room lighting. But gives an idea.

 

[divnanata]

I recently purchased this Hopi bear claw necklace from a local antique store. I talked to the dealer and she told me her story of living for a while with a Native American tribe and how she amassed a collection. This particular piece has an etching of a bear on an ivory background. The claws appear to be real. I even compared them to those of a stuffed grizzly in the same shop. But I don't think they are bear claws -more like badger??

 

[divnanata]

These are cuffs from the same dealer that I want. The big turquoise one belonged to the wife of a chief. It's pretty small on my wrist but i will find a way!

 

[jellyv]

I recently purchased this Hopi bear claw necklace from a local antique store. I talked to the dealer and she told me her story of living for a while with a Native American tribe and how she amassed a collection. This particular piece has an etching of a bear on an ivory background. The claws appear to be real. I even compared them to those of a stuffed grizzly in the same shop. But I don't think they are bear claws -more like badger??

How much faith do you have in this seller? I suggest getting any info from the dealer in writing. As you know, the majority of so-called claws are in fact resin, not real animal claws.

This is not a Hopi piece. Navajo made.

 

[divnanata]

How much faith do you have in this seller? I suggest getting any info from the dealer in writing. As you know, the majority of so-called claws are in fact resin, not real animal claws.

This is not a Hopi piece. Navajo made.

Yes I boobed it up! So much info was coming at me at the time. The seller bought the piece for herself in the 70's in Santa Fe.It isn't antique but vintage = probably from the 50's according to her. It is Navajo but she, herself, supposedly lived with a Hopi tribe back in her finding herself hippy days. The bear claw part she did not verify but they sure look real. Susieserb (my sister) had warned me that bear claw is extremely rare so I was doubtful. But the claws appear to be legit from some kind of animal. You can see icky marrow-y looking stuff down inside and each claw is different with surface details that look completely natural. In any case it is certainly worth the money I spent!

 

[divnanata]

Oh - I forgot to add that she had written down that the stones were from the Morenci mine in Arizona. They are really pretty!

 

[jellyv]

Nice picture, and striking necklace! Congrats. Yes I saw that you have a collecting co-conspirator, lucky gal--my daughter is into NA stuff, and we have somewhat "matching" collections ever since she was small. She has two mini-squash necklaces, one very interesting old Zuni one from the 1940s.
That's amazing that the dealer hung with Hopis, who are famously private and pretty darn inaccessible in location.

Morenci? Score. [emoji106]

 

[cdtracing]

I recently purchased this Hopi bear claw necklace from a local antique store. I talked to the dealer and she told me her story of living for a while with a Native American tribe and how she amassed a collection. This particular piece has an etching of a bear on an ivory background. The claws appear to be real. I even compared them to those of a stuffed grizzly in the same shop. But I don't think they are bear claws -more like badger??

These are cuffs from the same dealer that I want. The big turquoise one belonged to the wife of a chief. It's pretty small on my wrist but i will find a way!

How much faith do you have in this seller? I suggest getting any info from the dealer in writing. As you know, the majority of so-called claws are in fact resin, not real animal claws.

This is not a Hopi piece. Navajo made.

WOW!! Those are some incredible statement pieces! Just beautiful! Like Jellyv has stated, these are Navajo pieces & genuine bear claws are extremely rare. Most of it is in museums & what is in the market is usually resin faux claws. There are genuine claw pieces out there & they are usually badger or Coyote. It's best to get as much info in writing as you can from the seller in cases such as this. One thought though, take the necklace to a taxidermist who deals with preserving wild animals. They may can determine for you if the claws are genuine & what kinds of claws they are.
Genuine or faux, it's an incredibly beautiful piece with outstanding workmanship.

The cuffs are gorgeous. I'm on the hunt for a super sized cuff & ring myself. Just haven't found the right one yet. What stone is the second cuff? They are all fantastic scores!

 

[cdtracing]

Oh - I forgot to add that she had written down that the stones were from the Morenci mine in Arizona. They are really pretty!

Moreci turquoise is a definite plus!! What a find!!

 

[cdtracing]

Okay, here's a terrible selfie showing the scale of my big bow and arrow earrings. Godawful room lighting. But gives an idea.View attachment 3094769

Those are really large! I love them! They look great on you, by the way!!

 

[jellyv]

Thank you, CD. They're extreme but I am gaga for this guy's work. Gosh, I look messy.[emoji28]

 

[susieserb]

Okay, here's a terrible selfie showing the scale of my big bow and arrow earrings. Godawful room lighting. But gives an idea.View attachment 3094769

Oh TY~ truly impacting and edgy at the same time. Great selfie (not bad at all?)??

 

[BigPurseSue]

Okay, here's a terrible selfie showing the scale of my big bow and arrow earrings. Godawful room lighting. But gives an idea.View attachment 3094769

Omigosh, I love those earrings! And they look great on you. What a wonderful find.

 

[BigPurseSue]

Yes I boobed it up! So much info was coming at me at the time. The seller bought the piece for herself in the 70's in Santa Fe.It isn't antique but vintage = probably from the 50's according to her. It is Navajo but she, herself, supposedly lived with a Hopi tribe back in her finding herself hippy days. The bear claw part she did not verify but they sure look real. Susieserb (my sister) had warned me that bear claw is extremely rare so I was doubtful. But the claws appear to be legit from some kind of animal. You can see icky marrow-y looking stuff down inside and each claw is different with surface details that look completely natural. In any case it is certainly worth the money I spent!

That necklace is to die for! And so is the ring. The word amazing doesn't even begin to do it justice.

I would take it to a taxidermist to see what they say, just for curiosity's sake. But from the photo they do look like real big animal claws. And they're certainly not coyote or racoon claws.

But omigosh, that is gorgeous!

I've heard of hippie-types hanging with the Hopis back in the day.

Love the photos that everyone's sharing.

 

[cdtracing]

It finally arrived today!!!! I'm so in love!! My husband found this in Vancouver, Canada a few weeks ago when he was there on business & called me with the info. I contacted the seller & we agreed on a price. I've been like a kid anticipating Christmas waiting for her to arrive! It's a Zuni piece from the 50's. And it looks so much like Susieserb's outstanding coral bracelet except it's not as wide & not 4 row! It's a perfect fit! It must be destiny!! LOL