Since prehistoric times, the Southwest Indians have used personal adornment from turquoise and other stones. Additionally, the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni have used silver for over 100 years. Native American jewelry has grown in popularity over the years, and the jewelry from Native American tribes is authentic and unique. However, as the native American designs and products gain popularity, there’s also a high possibility of finding imitators. As such, there are many fake Native American jewelry in the market. The jewelry from factories cannot match the authenticity, beauty, craftsmanship, and quality of the American Indian Turquoise Jewelry. So, how do you ensure you get the best Native American Necklaces?
How Can You Avoid Purchasing Fake Native American Jewelry?
Terminology
Some federal laws prohibit art dealers from advertising fake Native American art as authentic Native American jewelry. According to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, only federally recognized products from tribes or nations can label their products as “Native American” and “Indian.” If the jewelry you want to purchase is labeled as “American Indian-Inspired” or “American-Indian Style,” there is a possibility it’s not authentic. You should look out for deceitful wording as you shop for necklaces and other jewelry from native Americans.
You can avoid purchasing fake jewelry by ensuring that you don’t buy from dealers who don’t deal in original products. Ensure your dealer sources their jewelry from artisans representing the Santo Domingo, Zuni, Navajo, and Hopi tribes.
Price
If you come across jewelry with a price that seems too good to be true, it is good to be skeptical. That doesn’t mean you cannot get a good deal. Avoid jewelry with prices that don’t represent the piece’s quality.
Authentic Native American Necklaces and Pendants are handmade, and they require a lot of time, skill, and effort. Therefore, it is not unusual that the artisans should be compensated accordingly. A low price on a piece of jewelry doesn’t mean it isn’t authentic. However, it should be a red flag.
Most Native American Jewelry designers stamp their pieces using a small signature or hallmark. Before buying a piece of jewelry, check the hallmark to ensure it looks the same as the other genuine pieces. However, not all jewelry designers hallmark their jewelry. Thus, the lack of a hallmark on a piece of jewelry doesn’t mean the piece is authentic or not. The law requires dealers to disclose whether they use natural or stabilized turquoise stone.
Natural turquoise stones are preferable, and they cost more due to their unaltered state.
However, the mining of turquoise stones is reducing, making the stabilized stones popular. Although some artisans use stabilized stones to make their jewelry, natural turquoise signifies that the jewelry is authentic.
Best Native American Necklaces Reviews
1. 4 Row Buffalo Bone Hairpipe Beads Traditional Tribal Choker Necklace
If you are looking for the best Native American necklace, this pendant is an excellent choice. The traditional tribal choker boasts genuine leather material and authentic buffalo bone hair pipe beads. It also features a Hematite stone, 6mm turquoise round beads, and 6mm gunmetal round beads. It is hand-carved from Hematite stone, and the neckline measures 12 inches without the leather ties. It is a traditional 4 strand tribal bone choker 100% made in the United States.
Pros
- Features authentic material construction
- It is handmade in the United States
- Genuine leather ensures durability
- Affordable
Cons
- You have to tie it on
2. MINACHI Native American Multilayer Feather Necklace for Women
The MINACHI Native American Multilayer Feather Necklace is a perfect choice for women. It features a stylish design that enables you to make a fashion statement. Besides the unique and outstanding design, the necklace also has high-quality materials that ensure durability. It is ideal for matching various attires, including formal and casual attire. You can also wear it for numerous occasions, including weddings and holidays. It also makes a perfect choice for a friendship, graduation, wedding, or Christmas gift.
Pros
- Unique and stylish design
- Versatile wear for various occasions
- High-quality material for durability
- Effortless to wear
Cons
- The clasp may not be long-lasting
3. HZMAN Buffalo Bone Native American Inspired Tribal Style Collar Choker Necklace
The HZMAN Buffalo Bone Native American Necklace is an excellent choice if you want a gift for yourself or a friend. It is visually appealing, making you stand out from the crowd whenever you wear it. Plus, it comes with a beautiful gift box with the name “HZMAN,” which comes in handy if you want it as a gift. The necklace is a lovely piece of jewelry, ideal for celebrating Native American heritage. It features quality buffalo bone material, finely crafted to provide a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry. It is a unisex Native American necklace ideal for both men and women.
Probably you are wondering whether the piece of American jewelry will offer you value for your money. Besides being a beautiful piece that will make you stand out, it also comes with other features that make it long-lasting. For instance, the Native American necklace is rust-resistant, waterproof, and durable. Also, you’ll not experience trouble putting on or removing the necklace. The Native American Jewelry comes with a lobster clasp design that enables a convenient closing and opening.
Pros
- It comes with features that make it durable
- It comes with a clasp to secure it
- Ideal for men and women
- Fashionable
Cons
- The clasp may not be long lasting
4. Suede Choker Necklace for Women
The fashionable choker necklace is ideal for completing any outfit. It is an exclusive necklace for women and girls and features a high-quality suede leather cord, turquoise gemstone bead, feather charms, and a 22mm metal ring. The hot handmade Native American Indian Jewelry is an excellent pick as a gift for your wife, sister, or friend.
Pros
- High-quality material construction
- Ideal for any outfit
- Effortless to clasp
- Ideal for use as a gift
Cons
- The choker may be too small for some necks
5. Handmade Beaded Indian Fashion Jewelry
The Handmade Beaded Indian Fashion Jewelry is a perfect pick for every occasion. You can use it as a birthday gift, Christmas gift, graduation gift, and friendship gift. The brown and blue colors make the jewelry eye-catching and ideal for any girl, woman, or lady.
Additionally, the Handmade Beaded Indian Fashion Jewelry features quality material that makes it long-lasting. It comes with CZ seed beads, and its unique design makes you stylish and will help you stand out from the rest of the crowd. You can match the necklace with the beaded earrings for a complete look.
Pros
- Eye-catching and fashionable
- Perfect for all occasions, including holidays and weddings
- High-quality material construction
- You can complete the outfit with matching earrings
Cons
- It isn’t unisex
FAQs
What is a Native American necklace?
A Native American necklace is a piece of jewelry that consists of beads or stones, usually with some sort of pattern. The patterns are meant to symbolize the wearer’s family tradition and cultural heritage.
Is Native American Jewelry Fake?
No, the jewelry is not fake; native American Necklaces and Pendants are 100% real. While making the jewelry, Native American artists use the best quality stones and metal. An authentic Native American piece of jewelry features sterling silver and not silver plated. It is uniform in size and will not have lopsided designs or wavering lines. Also, there will be no noticeable glue between the metals. As mentioned earlier, it’ll be best to purchase your jewelry from a trusted dealer to ensure it’s authentic.
How do I clean my native American necklace?
To clean a Native American necklace, first, remove it from your neck. Using a soft cloth or sponge soaked with warm water, gently rub the beads and stones to remove any dirt that has accumulated on them. Do not use abrasive materials such as steel wool or bleach.
If the necklace is made of shells or other organic material, you should soak it in cool saltwater for an hour before scrubbing off any debris.
What Jewelry Did the Native Americans Wear?
Native Americans have been wearing and crafting jewelry for a long time now. Before the coming of Europeans, Native Americans would use natural resources such as wood, shells, stones, bones, and turquoise. They would use the materials to make bracelets, necklaces, pins, and earrings.
The jewelry pieces were crafted for functions such as bridles, brooches, and buttons. Native Americans would also use their jewelry as collateral or currency while trading with the Europeans. The jewelry by Native Americans continues to have cultural significance to date. Fashion-conscious people wear jewelry pieces to match their formal or casual attire.
What is the difference between a silver and a sterling silver necklace?
Silver is a metal that has been mixed with other metals to make it stronger. Sterling silver is silver that has been mixed with copper and zinc. Sterling silver will tarnish less quickly than pure or fine silver, but both types of jewelry will eventually darken and lose their shine over time.
Now, apart from chain necklaces, there are many other types and iterations of necklaces, which we already posted on this blog. Here, we’ll share the extracts from those reviews:
Amazing Necklace Types We Reviewed
Best Bronze Necklace
Bronze jewelry has been worn for as long as metal has existed. It’s simple to see why this well-liked, long-lasting metal is still a favorite accessory choice for many. Bronze necklaces have a warm and soft golden-brown tone, a low sheen, and an antique appeal. It makes lovely jewelry, and it’s trendy and attractive to most people.
Best Genesis Necklace
If you are looking for personalized necklaces, Genesis chains are the way to go. These classy genesis necklaces come in different styles and metals, allowing you to customize your accessory completely.
Best Chain Necklace
While there are several types of chains available in the market, gold chains are considered the best type because they are durable and unlikely to tarnish over time. Also, chain necklaces pair well with formal wear for work or school and even during special events such as proms and weddings.
Best Single Pearl Necklace
A single strand of pearls has timeless elegance. When you opt for a single strand of pearls, it leaves no question about what you’re wearing, and the piece’s simplicity allows it to be worn for almost any occasion. When buying a single-pearl necklace, you’ll want to decide whether you want a natural pearl or a cultured pearl.
Best Statement Necklace
The difference between a statement necklace and a regular necklace is that a statement necklace is a necklace that has a significant meaning or a bold design. It usually draws attention to the neck and chest area. A regular necklace is just a necklace that you wear because you like it.
Best Cross Necklaces
A cross necklace is a piece of fashionable jewelry made of different precious metals such as silver and gold and adorned with a variety of gemstones. Cross necklaces are especially put on by women for various reasons, as a fashion accessory or part of their religious observance.
Conclusion
If you are looking for Native American necklaces for sale in the store online, there are many options that you can find. However, you need to look out for fake American jewelry in the market. Ensure you purchase your jewelry from a trusted dealer. You should also ensure the price matches the quality of the jewelry piece. Real Native American necklaces are stylish and will make you stand out from the crowd. They also offer an excellent way of celebrating Native American heritage.