Navajo Brooches & Pins Discount Sources

Navajo Brooches and Pins

A brooch is a decorative piece of jewelry designed to be attached to garments through the use of a pin. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold, and decorated with gemstones. A Navajo brooch is highly desired by collectors of native American art, as well as those that just love beautiful jewelry.

The most impressive tradition of jewelry-making in North America belongs to the Navajo Indians. After the Navajo learned silversmithing from the Spanish in the 1800's, jewelry arts blossomed in their culture, and unique finely crafted adornments began to appear at Indian trading posts throughout the southwest U.S. region.

Before 1920, the Navajo jewelers got the silver and gold they needed to make Navajo brooches by melting down U.S. coins. When available turquoise was the primary stone they used to compliment their creation, but other stones such as coral, fire opals, lapis, pink shell, and onyx were also used. Engraving and stamping was accomplished by a chisel, awl, and punch. Traditional Navajo jewelry is symmetrical, repetitive and balanced in design. Contrary to popular belief, early authentic Navajo brooches or Navajo pins would rarely include design work with rain clouds, tepees, arrowheads, buffaloes or other such trite symbols. Navajo brooches and other jewelry incorporating these designs only began to appear as the demand for Navajo artwork increased.

*******************************************************************************

Important Note: The following are auction listings, over which this site has no control with respect to their authenticity as genuine Navajo crafted Brooches. Some may be Navajo "style", which is fine, if that is what you are looking to purchase. Please read the listings carefully then make your own decisions, and buy from reputable sellers with high feedback ratings.

*******************************************************************************