Sunday, March 15, 2009

How to purchase Genuine American Indian Jewelry & Crafts

Buying American Indian jewelry & crafts can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you’re considering a gift of American Indian jewelry & crafts for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here’s some information to help you get the best quality American Indian jewelry & crafts for your money, whether you’re shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.

Whether you're drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tones of Indian pottery, some information about American Indian arts and crafts can help you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous retailers are selling imitation American Indian arts and crafts to unwary consumers.

According to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, any item produced after 1935 that is marketed as "Indian," "Native American" or "Alaska Native" must have been made by a member of a state or federally-recognized tribe or a certified Indian artisan. That is a non-member Indian artisan who is certified by the governing body of an Indian tribe.

Native American jewelry creates two very general categories, namely, metalwork and beadwork. Prior to Europeans' arrival, native metalwork was quite simple with hammering and etching copper into pendants or earrings and fashioning copper and silver into beads. In the 1800's when Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo artists learned techniques from the Spanish, a new style was developed that was the fusion of new techniques with traditional designs.

Native beadwork style consists of fine grinding of turquoise, coral, and shell beads smooth necklaces, the soaking and piecing of porcupine quills, and the intricate stitching of thousands of beads together. It is not always easy to spot an item made by an authentic Native American jewelry. The price, materials, appearance, and the seller's guarantee of authenticity may sometimes help. Though Indian artisans make and sell reasonable souvenir-type items, authentic first-rate Indian jewelry can be very costly. Most jewelers use sterling silver (the most common metal used) complemented with shell, turquoise, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, or carnelian.

3 Tips for Buying Genuine American Indian Jewelry & Crafts

1. Buy from an established dealer who gives a written guarantee or written verification of authenticity. Ask if your item comes with a certification tag. Not all authentic Indian arts and crafts carry this tag, but those that do are certified by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to be genuine. This sample tag identifies the artisan as a member of the Oklahoma Indian Arts and Crafts Cooperative. However, you may see a different name and logo appearing in the circle on the item you buy.

2. Get a receipt that includes information about the value of your purchase and any verbal representations by the salesperson. For example, if the salesperson tells you that the piece of jewelry you're buying is sterling silver and natural turquoise and was handmade by an American Indian artisan; make sure this information is documented on your receipt.

3. Before buying American Indian arts and crafts at powwows, annual fairs, juried competitions, and other events, check the event requirements for information about the authenticity of the products for sale. Many events list their requirements in newspaper ads, promotional flyers and printed programs. If the event organizers don't say anything about the authenticity of the American Indian arts and crafts for sale, get written verification for any item you buy that is sold as authentic.

Buying American Indian jewelry and crafts may be interesting, exciting and confusing. Whether you want to take a gift from the American Indian jewelry and crafts for someone special. Here is some information to help you get the best quality American Indian crafts and jewelry for your money if you are shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.


Whether you are attracted by the beauty of silver jewelry and turquoise or earth tones of Indian pottery, information on the arts of American Indians and crafts can help you get what you pay. Unfortunately, some corrupt traders selling fake American Indian jewelry to the arts and crafts innocent consumers.

According to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, after a 1935 product that is marketed as "Indian," Native American "or" Alaska "should have been made by a member state or the federal government recognized tribe or a certified Indian artisan. It is a non-member Indian artisan who is certified by the body of an Indian tribe.

Before Europeans arrived, native metals has been very simple with a hammer and copper into pendants or earrings and fashioning copper and silver beads. In the 1800s, when Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo artists learned the techniques of Spanish, a new style was developed that was the merger of new technologies with traditional designs.

Native pearl style consists of fine grinding of turquoise, coral, shell and smooth Heishi bead necklaces, and soaking parts of porcupine quills, and the complex assembly of thousands of balls together. It is not always easy to locate a point made by an authentic Native American Jewelry. The price, materials, appearance, and the seller of the guarantee of the authenticity May sometimes help. Although the Indian artisans make and sell souvenirs reasonable type authentic first-class Indian jewelry can be very expensive. Most jewelers’ use of money (the metal used) supplemented with shell, turquoise, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, and carnelian.

3Tips for Buying Genuine American Indian Jewelry & Crafts
1. Buy from an established dealer who gives a written guarantee or written verification of authenticity. Ask if your item comes with a label of certification. Not all authentic Indian arts and crafts bring this label, but those who are certified by the Ministry of Interior (DOI) to be authentic. This sample tag identifies the artisan as a member of the Oklahoma Indian Arts and Crafts Cooperative. However, May you see a different name and logo in the circle on the point of purchase.

2. Get a receipt that includes information on the value of your purchase and any verbal representation by the seller. For example, if the seller tells you that the jewel is that you buy silver and turquoise and a natural hand by an American Indian artisan, make sure this information is recorded on your receipt.

3. Before buying American Indian arts and crafts at powwows, annual fairs, a selection board, and other events, see the event for more information on the requirements of the authenticity of products for sale. Many events list their requirements in newspaper advertisements, promotional flyers and printed programs. If the organizer of the event says nothing about the authenticity of the art of American Indians and crafts for sale, get written verification of all the items you buy that is sold as genuine.

Native American Pendants including Native American Silver Jewelry at Double Dee Deals. We Offers you Native American Jewelry, Southwestern Turquoise Jewelry, Native American Necklaces, Native American Bracelets.
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Author: Double Dee Deals

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