Beautiful Handmade Native American Jewelry

If nothing else, Native American jewelry is instantly recognizable. While many people may have trouble distinguishing one gemstone from another, almost anyone can look at a piece and tell right away if it is Native American.

I really like Native American jewelry. I don’t wear jewelry myself, but I find myself shopping for it a lot in the form of gifts for girlfriends, friends, or family. I personally have had some good reactions and good experiences with Native American jewelry I’ve purchased for people in the past, and always keep an eye out for it when I’m in the market for some gifts.

But here's a word of caution. For most people Native American jewelry is a love it or hate it type of feeling. Make sure you know where the recipient stands.

In my mind, Native American jewelry is somehow more interesting and artistic than more traditional jewelry. It's the artistic side I think that appeals to me most. Handmade and carefully designed, their jewelry reflects a pride in what they do above and beyond just stamping out run of the mill shiny or sparkly items you see in typical jewelry stores. Native American jewelry uses a lot of colorful earth stones and materials that are every bit as attractive as more traditional kinds of jewelry without the large costs.

Of course one of the most common stones used in Native American jewelry is turquoise. That deep greenish/sky blue color is a favorite for a lot of women. And quite honestly, men seem to like it too. It's not uncommon to see men with turquoise rings.

The lower cost of Native American jewelry makes it a great gift idea for women that you are just friends with, or have only just begun to date. Of course, whether or not a women will like it depends mostly on her tastes in jewelry, and not yours. Some women just aren’t very open minded about what kinds of jewelry they wear and only stick to traditional forms, while others love alternative kinds like Native American jewelry. Just the fact that an a piece of jewelry was hand made by a Native American can in itself be a winning factor for many people.

Finding good Native American jewelry today is easier than ever thanks to the internet. You can order handmade Native American jewelry of just about any kind you’d like from the comfort of your own home. Of course, my favorite way to get some good Native American jewelry is to visit a store or market in person. Stores that sell Native American jewelry are popular in cities and towns throughout the US, and a little research will likely yield some results near you.

The absolute best way to shop for genuine Native American jewelry is to visit a reservation. I went to college a hour drive away from a large Native American town and reservation, and would often take day trips there with friends. Of course, the casino is what drew most of us there, but I would always take some time to peruse for some good jewelry finds!

On your next trip to the southwest, take some brief time to visit. First of all you'll see pieces of jewelry you won't find anywhere else. But better still you may get the chance to see the craftsmen in action, as they work meticulously to create each piece. And that will only increase your appreciation of Native American jewelry.

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