Understanding the Importance of Bracelets in Native American Culture
In Native American culture, bracelets are more than just a piece of jewelry. They are a symbol of cultural identity and spiritual connection. Native American bracelets represent a connection to the natural world and diverse tribal traditions. The designs of these bracelets have been passed down from generation to generation, evolving as new materials and techniques make their way into this art form.
Explore Our Collection of Handmade Native American Bracelets
SilverTQ offers an extensive collection of handmade Native American bracelets. Our range of styles includes the following:
Cuff Bracelets
Native American cuff bracelets tend to be wider than bracelets with clasp closure and often feature inlaid stones and stamped designs. They are predominantly made with sterling silver and turquoise. Their beautiful designs represent personal style and status.
Inlay Bracelets
Native American inlay bracelets feature several materials, including turquoise, shells, sugilite, and gaspeite, which are cut, polished, and combined in patterns and designs that are embedded in sterling silver.
Overlay Bracelets
Overlay bracelets are made of two silver pieces that are soldered together. The top piece features a cut-out design that is layered over the bottom layer, which is oxidized and etched to create a contrasting color.
Turquoise Bracelets
Native American turquoise bracelets are made with genuine turquoise and feature a range of intricate designs. In Indigenous culture, turquoise is a sacred stone that appears in many legends as a symbol of power and prestige. A turquoise bracelet can be worn to bring good luck and stay connected with the natural world.
Link Bracelets
Native American link bracelets can be fastened with extension links. They are light and comfortable to wear and feature various designs and materials.
Tribe-Specific Designs
We offer bracelets made with techniques that are unique to certain tribes, such as Navajo silverwork, Hopi silver overlay, Santo Domingo shell inlay, and Zuni stone and channel inlay.
Meet Some of Our Noteworthy Artists
All of our bracelets are handmade by Native American artists who possess in-depth knowledge of Indigenous jewelry making and its cultural significance. Below are some of our featured artists:
Aaron Anderson
Aaron Anderson is a Navajo jewelry designer and silversmith renowned for his skillfully made pieces. He is a third-generation artist and was inspired to take up silversmithing by his stepfather and uncle. One of his favorite techniques is tufa casting, which involves pouring molten silver into a hand-carved mold to create unique bracelet designs.
Albert Jake
Albert Jake has been making Native American jewelry since 1987. He learned the art of silversmithing from his parents and now specializes in traditional set stones and cluster jewelry. His style can be described as bold and inventive.
Calvin Martinez
Calvin Martinez creates jewelry using traditional Navajo silversmithing techniques. His pieces feature high-quality stones, including turquoise, and his southwestern designs are perfect for those seeking to celebrate Indigenous cultural heritage.
Alvin Yellowhorse
Alvin Yellowhorse is a traditional Navajo silversmith who cuts, shapes, and files silver with precision and intricacy. He learned how to make jewelry from his father and has been a silversmith since 1995. His double stacked bracelets are what lend his collection a unique twist.
Harry H. Begay
Harry H. Begay is a silversmith from the Navajo tribe who has specialized in making handmade Native American jewelry since the early 1970s. His work is intricate and polished, showcasing the natural beauty of genuine turquoise.
Tyler Brown
Tyler Brown has years of experience creating pieces that reflect his Navajo heritage. His designs showcase vibrant stones and exquisite stamp work. Each one of his pieces is characterized by an eyecatching stone cluster made from turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, or purple spiny oyster.
Darryl Dean Begay
Darryl Dean Begay enjoys creating handmade jewelry with his wife, Rebecca. Together, they won the Best of Show award at the Santa Fe Indian Market for an incredible tufa cast belt they made to depict Navajo success in the face of adversity.
Ella M. Linkin
Ella M. Linkin draws on her Navajo heritage to make stunning turquoise bracelets using various types of high-grade turquoise. Her designs are bold and ornate, perfect for those who want a statement piece.
Delbert Gordon
Delbert Gordon is a self-taught silversmith who specializes in designing sterling silver bracelets with detailed saw and stamp work. He uses his skills to mentor aspiring jewelry makers, including his nephew, Derrick Gordon.
Tips for Buying and Styling Native American Bracelets
If you’re new to the world of Native American jewelry, here are a few pointers to help you make an informed purchase and get the most out of your handmade piece:
- Make sure you’re buying from an authentic source: Native American bracelet listings should always include the name of the artist.
- Avoid deals that seem too good to be true: Native American bracelets have a higher price tag because they are handmade and feature authentic gemstones. If you see a Native American bracelet being sold significantly below market value, it’s probably a fake.
- Pay attention to sizing: Native American bracelets come in unique sizes. If you want a piece that is adjustable, we recommend choosing a link chain bracelet. We also display the dimensions of each product in the product description so that you can match your size accurately.
- Pair your bracelet with the right clothing and colors: Native American bracelets have eccentric designs and often feature bold shades of blue, orange, and silver. They pair quite well with clothing made from natural fabric. If you’re not sure what colors to wear your bracelet with, neutral colors like black and white are always safe options.
- Educate yourself on the spiritual significance of your bracelet: Some Zuni bracelets are thought to provide protection, while the symbols incorporated in Hopi bracelets often symbolize different aspects of nature and spiritual practices.
- Be aware of the difference between “handmade” and “handcrafted”: Every component of handmade jewelry is shaped and finished by hand, whereas handcrafted jewelry can be assembled using pre-made, mass-produced components. For this reason, handmade jewelry is often pricier than handcrafted jewelry.
- Clean your silver with care: While some people prefer an aged look to their jewelry, others prefer to keep their silver untarnished. Silver is easy to clean, but it’s important to avoid soaking silver pieces with inlaid stones in cleaning liquid. The stones in Native American jewelry are often placed on a sawdust base to prevent them from breaking while being set. If the sawdust gets wet, it can expand and push the stone out.
Why Choose SilverTQ?
SilverTQ is an established seller of unique, handmade Native American jewelry. We have been in the jewelry business for decades and have cultivated strong ties with a vast network of Native American jewelry artists. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Serving since 1978: Our company was originally founded in 1978. Our years of experience are a testament to our investment in preserving Indigenous heritage.
- Authentic craftsmanship: Every piece on our website is handmade by an experienced Native American jewelry artist. We never sell replicas or fakes.
- Curated collection: All of the pieces we sell are handpicked to guarantee their quality and authenticity. We only accept work from experienced artists.
- International Shipping: We ship for free within the US and offer international shipping at an additional charge through USPS.
Explore our selection of handmade pieces and order your Native American bracelet today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer custom designs?
No, we don’t offer custom designs. The jewelry we offer is created according to the inspiration of each artist we work with.
Can your artists adjust the size of their cuff bracelets?
No, the sizing of the cuff bracelets we offer is not adjustable. All bracelets are pre-designed and made by hand. You should choose a bracelet that matches your wrist size.
Explore our other Native American jewelry and accessory categories below.
