Jewelry

Despite the name, Navajo pearls are not real pearls. They are handmade sterling silver beads crafted by Navajo (Diné) silversmiths. 

Each bead is made individually by cutting silver, shaping it into domes, soldering the halves together, and polishing them into smooth round beads. 

Because the beads are handmade, no two necklaces are exactly the same.
History

22 in 

3,4,5,6 mm beads 

• Navajo silversmithing began in the mid-1800s after Navajo artisans learned metalworking from Spanish and Mexican silversmiths.  
• The first well-known Navajo silversmith was Atsidi Sani, who helped teach the craft to others.  
• Silver beads eventually became known as “Navajo pearls” and are now one of the most recognizable styles in Southwestern jewelry.  

Beautifully paid with the Kingman bar necklace