Beliefs about Native American Jewelry

Many of the indigenous peoples of the American Southwest and Mexico had definitive beliefs about the gem stone turquoise and quite often you will see these beliefs reflected in the design of native american jewelry. Here is a run down of some of the myths and lore subscribed to by the various tribes who create turquoise and silver jewelry.

Apache - The Apaches attached turquoise to arrows so their aim would be true. They also used the stone in ceremonies to bring rain.

Hopi - The Hopis believed that turquoise was the magical excrement of lizards. The lizard a fetish animal cherished for its connection with both the sky and the regions beneath the earth. The stone was used in ceremonies to prevent flash flooding.

Navajo -These prolific creators of turquoise and silver jewelry believed that turquoise thrown in a river brought rain. The stone was also sacred to a supernatural being that lived in the mountains called the "Turquoise Girl."

Pima of South Arizona - The Pima believed that turquoise was lucky and could heal all illnesses. However if you were given a stone and lost it then you would fall ill and need the services of a shaman to cure you.

Rio Grande Pueblos -These talented creators of native American jewelry believed that turquoise stole its color from the sky.

Zuni- This exotic tribe believed that the blue turquoise was male and the green turquoise was female. Turquoise stones were attached to fetishes and ceremonial items to give them more power.

If you examine native american jewelry closely you can see that several artistic themes derived from the above beliefs are often symbolically represented.

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