One thing that really sets Native American squash blossom necklaces apart, tribe to tribe, is the use of different stones. The size, shape, and type of stone can hold different meanings and help people determine which tribe the piece came from. Native Americans believed stones to hold certain properties, good for healing. Depending on the…
The history of the Native American squash blossom is a combination of Spanish culture and Native American creativity. The piece was once a proud cultural art form for the Spanish and soon became more known as a Native American art after they adopted it and made it their own through incorporating Northern American stones and…
The rich and extensive history of squash blossom necklaces extends more than 300 years ago, but since the Spanish first introduced the art to Native Americans, they have taken the time and generations to truly make the art their own. One way that Native Americans have succeeded in developing an identity with this style is…
One of the oldest silversmith techniques in recorded history. The inlay process involves working metal fragments into other metals to set design or pattern into the piece and achieve a true work of art. This could be a beautiful floral inlay in an ornate sword or symbols in silver jewelry. The Native American tribes of…
In Native American culture, there are many symbols and patterns that have been used for centuries to convey meaning and tell the stories of the Native people. It wasn’t too long ago that Native Americans had no means to express their language through written text. That’s why, beginning centuries ago, they used these symbols to…
A Squash Blossom Necklace Is Historical Treasure, Artistic Delight The beauty of a traditional Navajo squash blossom necklace cannot be denied; its artistic value and craftsmanship, usually of handworked silver, can vary from stylistically simple and modern to extremely large, ornate and bejeweled. A Native American squash blossom necklace may have intricate and symbolic etching,…
One of the most common shapes used in Native American jewelry is the Navajo squash blossom necklace. It has a history going back several centuries, but it is one that can actually be traced to Europe and Africa first. Still, the elegance of this simple design and the promise found within the symbol itself has…
The turquoise squash blossom necklace draws its origin from the Native Americans. The piece of jewelry was first used by the early Moorish and Spanish communities and takes in a crescent shape that can be divided into two parts to make a Naja and a squash blossom. Turquoise squash blossom necklace would then have to…