Red Spiny Oyster Necklace with Jacla
Sterling Silver and Red Spiny Oyster Necklace with Jacla By Artist Nestoria Coriz. This necklace features two strands of red spiny oyster beads and silver stamped barrel beads, a silver bezel set red spiny oyster cabochon on a jacla, with silver cones and clasp. This necklace is 32 inches.
History of Native American Jewelry
Native American Jewelry has a unique past. Native Americans started making silver jewelry in the late 1800’s when the Spaniards came, making jewelry, ornaments for their horses and trinkets for barter. But Native American jewelry made before this time provided the foundation for their own style. Although tribes and their styles vary, some common themes persist.
There is significant evidence of beaded turquoise jewelry. Turquoise and shell, paired with feathers would be strung and hung from every place possible. Yarn, leather, and sinew were woven into patterns and incorporated into necklaces, bracelets and clothing with the stones and shell. Other unique, beautiful items from nature would be included as much as possible. Metal was rare but not out of the picture entirely. Gold and Silver was worked by Native people of Mexico and Central America since the time of the Aztec, so its possible Native American tribes living in the southwest region could be aware of metal working in some way much earlier than the Spanish arrival. It is even difficult to put a date on just when the Native Americans started making silver jewelry after the Spanish arrival.