Pins and Pin-Pendants

Native American Pins & Pin-Pendants

Versatile Design

In addition to the classic brooch styled pin, Native American Jewelry also includes an unusual category called “pin-pendant.” Created by adding an attachment so that a regular pin might now also be worn as a pendant, adds to the versatility of a straight pin. The pin may be worn as a brooch, on a collar, or coat lapel or even on a hat. Silver and Turquoise Native American Jewelers, LLC sells only authentically handcrafted jewelry items made in the USA. The words “imported and/or imitation” are simply not in our vocabulary! These sterling silver pins and pin-pendants are made by the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and the various Rio Grande Pueblo Tribes. The styles and stone settings will be discussed next.

Styles

Navajos are more noted for their heavier silverwork, and use of stamping, repoussé, saw work, applique and file work on the pieces they make. Zunis typically are known as expert lapidists who cut stones to fit into precision designs. The Zuni focus on the stonework rather than on the silverwork. Hopis are noted for a style called overlay. The design is hand sawed out of a sheet of silver, and this is then soldered to another solid sheet to create a 3-D effect. Commonly Hopis oxidize the interior of the design and then hash mark etch the interior of the design.

Stone Settings

All of the tribes do make all of the aforementioned styles; however some tribes are most noted for particular styles. Navajos are the major producer of cabochon styles. Zuni Pueblo Indians are the major producer of the inlay, needlepoint, and petit point type of jewelry.
Cabochons are more naturally shaped stones that have silver work to enhance the stone. Needlepoint stones are cut to have sharp points on each end, like a needle, and are placed in a designed shape or shapes of silver. Petit point stones are cut and are smaller round, oval, rectangle, triangle, and pear shaped or even small squares called “chicklets,” placed in a designed shape or shapes of bezels. Channel inlay has dividers between the stones of thin slivers of sterling silver. Stone on stone inlay has no silver dividers and the stones are fitted to sit next to each other with little or no gap. These stones might be turquoise, or other semi-precious stones, or mixtures of these stones. All of these stone styles are commonly made in pins and pin-pendants.

Our Promise

Offering sterling silver Native American jewelry handcrafted in the USA is the fundamental “business mantra” of Silver & Turquoise Native American Jewelers, LLC. Imported or imitation jewelry of any kind is not what we sell. No matter the style or styles of these expertly handcrafted pieces of wearable art, you can be assured complete satisfaction. Individually made, one at a time, each piece to be cherished and worn proudly.