| The rituals of Native American jewelry has played a | | | | the native people is representative of the different |
| big role in past and present Native American beliefs | | | | stages of life an individual has risen to. In many |
| and is the symbol for nature in tribal ceremonies, and | | | | Native American tribes the young people are brought |
| represents individual status in Indian culture. Natural | | | | into adulthood when they acquire the spiritual totem |
| materials were used in their jewelry making, including | | | | consisting of shells, beads, or other symbols of |
| feathers along with minerals and gem stones, such as | | | | nature. Native American religious jewelry was often |
| turquoise and silver. | | | | given to women after there first menstrual cycle as |
| For thousands of years, turquoise has been | | | | achieving womanhood and to newly united couples |
| treasured both for its natural beauty as well as its | | | | for health, happiness and fruitful forth comings along |
| presumed power to heal. Turquoise is a sacred stone | | | | the path of family life. |
| that has been used for centuries to adorn ritual | | | | Because our culture today uses jewelry mostly for |
| objects and is still considered a cherished possession | | | | decorative purposes we often forget the roots of |
| by Native American Indians of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, | | | | jewelry and how, to some cultures, it can have a |
| Pueblo and other indian nations. History even dates | | | | deeper spiritual meaning. Recognizing the importance |
| back as early as to Ancient Egypt, as exquisite | | | | of this religious jewelry in other cultures allows us to |
| turquoise adornments have been uncovered in tombs. | | | | see the greater symbolic uses that jewelry can be |
| These natural materials were a reminder of the Earth | | | | used for. |
| around them. | | | | Today. our society and culture adorns the Native |
| Religious jewelry has played a significant role in Native | | | | American jewelry for it's elegance and fashion and |
| American culture. During healing ceremonies and tribal | | | | most people are not aware of the religious, ritual and |
| rituals, the indian people would take care and pride in | | | | ceremonial values of this jewelry. By recognizing and |
| wearing only specific types of religious native jewelry | | | | understanding the values set on Native American |
| that were the right colors, materials, and representing | | | | indian jewelry we can learn to admire the symbolic |
| the proper symbol for that ritual event. Native | | | | beauty of this Native American culture. |
| American history tells us that the jewelry worn by | | | | |