Native American jewelry has its roots in prehistory and has been remarkable in its ability to reflect tradition as it evolves into the highest forms of contemporary handmade jewelry. Although Native American jewelry began as crude inlaid shell work, the finest Native American jewelry of today exhibits highly unusual designs containing beautiful rare natural turquoise, coral and other gem stones set in gold, silver and palladium. Its appeal is worldwide.
Collectors of Native American jewelry are drawn by a number of factors. Turquoise itself has been viewed over the centuries as a source of power, healing and protection. With its variety of deep blues and greens, this unusual stone is, in fact, rarer than diamonds. Though many collectors of Native American jewelry love the deep blue stones with what is called spider web matrix, others are attracted to turquoise with deep green or lime green hues and flecks of gold host rock. So, often,the turquoise becomes a focal point around which the piece of Native American jewelry revolves.