Vintage Native American Jewelry

Discover a remarkable collection of vintage Native American jewelry at Kachina House, lovingly handcrafted by talented artisans from various tribes. Our inventory features an extensive selection of vintage jewelry pieces, each bearing a unique story and cultural significance associated with the artist and tribe behind it. These exquisite jewelry items are expertly crafted and adorned with natural materials, transforming them into exquisite objects of both art and craft.

Jewelry plays a significant role in the cultures of Native Americans. It tells stories, holds history, and represents spiritual beliefs of every tribe across America.

Beginning as early as 12,000 years ago, jewelry making was unique to the respective geographic area of each tribe, featuring natural materials that could only be found in surrounding environments. This allowed tribes to offer variations between designs since the supplies necessary to craft these delicate accessories were major trade items.

At Kachina House, we have had the opportunity to acquire some older pieces by crafters from many Native American tribes including, Hopi, Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Zuni Others are represented as well.

Jewelry making has evolved in technique and materials used over the years, but still is a primary focus of Native American culture today.

How Native American Jewelry is Made

Several materials were used to craft these beautiful vintage pieces of wearable art. From beads and bear claws to turquoise, the “stone of life,” that holds special significance in Native American culture, every piece of jewelry will tell a story.

There are two primary ways in which Native American jewelry is made:

Metalwork

This type of jewelry-making consists of working metals into different components that are then fashioned into earrings, pendants, rings, bolos and more. The technique of silversmithing was learned from the Spanish in the 1800s and since then, the Native American people have made it their own.

Beadwork

Already advanced in Native American culture, beadwork involved intricately grinding turquoise, coral, shell and other materials to create Heishe necklaces. The technique also included carving individual beads from wood and bone, and then carefully stringing these unique beads together to create one masterpiece.

Kachina House is the largest distributor of Native American arts and crafts in Arizona. At our showroom/warehouse in Sedona, AZ, you will find more products on display than we can post on our website. Our products are high-quality and handcrafted; we pride ourselves on offering unique products and the best customer service. If you have questions, we urge you to call us toll free at 800-304-3290 or drop us an email. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with you and assist you in your exploration of Native American vintage jewelry.