Earrings

Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise and red coral bring beauty to these small Navajo handmade naja sterling silver post earrings.  More about najas below.

Size: .5" H x .375" W

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.

Lightweight and lovely, these earrings by Navajo jeweler, Shirley Johnson, are polished to a high sheen.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 1.675" L (Includes wire) x .675 W

These small post earrings have natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise set in the center of the sterling shadowbox making the sky blue color pop!  

Size: .375" Diameter

Navajo jeweler, Leta Parker, made these shiny sterling silver post earrings.  Available stones include red coral, lapis, denim lapis, and lavender. The inner shadowbox has been oxidized to give it a black appearance which makes the bear claws stand out.  Turquoise is set in the center of the paw. More about bears below.

Size: .675" H x .5" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Elegant and lightweight, these earrings could easily be your "everyday earrings".  They are oxidized which gives them a vintage look.  The beads include sterling silver 2mm bench beads, 6mm fluted beads in the center, and two 4mm on each side of the fluted beads with one on each side further up. They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 2.5" H (Includes wire) x 1.5" W 

These sterling silver eagle feather earrings have darker teal turquoise at the bottom.  The feathers are beautifully detailed and hang on sterling silver wires.  They were made by Navajo jeweler Louise Joe.

Size: 2.25" H x .5" W

Two sterling silver feathers dangle from these bright blue turquoise set in sterling silver posts.  They were handmade by Navajo jeweler Annie Spencer.

Size: 2" H 

Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo made these pink mussel shield earrings and carved three feathers with turquoise accents to dangle off each one.  They dangle from sterling silver wires in style!

Size: 1.875" H x .675" W includes wires

These shield earrings were made by Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo.  The silver shields have hand stamped designs on them.  The feathers are hand carved of abalone shell and dangle on silver wire with turquoise accents.  The ear wires are sterling silver.  These are very light!

Size: 1.675" H x .5" W

Navajo jeweler, Ervin Begay, made these shiny sterling silver post earrings.  The inner shadowbox has been oxidized to give it a black appearance which makes the bear claws stand out.  Turquoise is set in the paw with a hand-stamped sun rays above. More about bears below.

Size: 1" H x .75" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Two natural red coral stones are set in an oxidized sterling silver setting with a rim of shiny silver.  Small but very noticable!

Size: .5" H x .375" W

It's amazing that these stones are cut and inlaid into such a small sterling silver earring!  Natural red coral is on each side at the top surrounding Shimmering white mother of pearl. Below is a line of jet and below that is more mother of pearl.

Size: .25" H x .25" W

It's amazing that these stones are cut and inlaid into such a small sterling silver earring!  Gold lip mother of pearl is on each side at the top surrounding natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise. Below is a line of natural red coral and below that is more Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  

Size: .25" H x .25" W

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero created these sterling silver Kokopelli earrings.  The stamp-work is beautiful and the bright turquoise in the center is a lovely accent. More about Kokopelli below.

Size: 2" H (includes wires) x .75" W

Kokopelli images are on rocks along trade routes from the Southwest and into Mexico.  Many think that before he entered a village he played his flute to let people know he was arriving, and his rounded back was a pack containing the trade items.  There may have been generations of Kokopelli who traveled.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these Thunderbird earrings from sterling silver.  In the center of the body is a dot of turquoise. The eyes are detailed and the wings and tail are beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about Thunderbirds below.

Size: 2" H x 1" W

Thunderbirds are intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder.  They are associated with lightening and rain.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these horse earrings from sterling silver.  A dot of turquoise is in the center of the body. The eyes, mouth, mane and tail are detailed and the body is beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about horses below.

Size: 1.5" H x 1.675" W

Many Native American people believe that horses were in North America before the colonizers arrived.  Many Native American people have special relationships with horses, and this was evident during the camps at Standing Rock to protect and defend the river.  They represent freedom and safety in travel.  And for those of us lucky enough to have had a powerful relationship with horses, they make wonderful friends.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these dragonfly earrings from sterling silver.  Below the head is a dot of turquoise. The eyes are detailed and the wings and tail are beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about dragonflies below.

Size: 1.875" H x 1.75" W

Dragonflies have different, yet similar meanings throughout Native America.  In Zuni, they are messengers between this world and the next and are related to the coming rains and corn.  In other tribes they are strong protectors, as dragonflies are one of the very few creatures that can fight while flying backwards.  They are known to watch our backs and offer protection.  Their symbol is a vertical line with two horizontal bars, and can be seen on war shirts, shields and painted on horses going into battle.

Long twisted golden yellow beads highlight these lovely Navajo handmade harvest earrings.  Yellow, black orange and red seed beads accent the top and bottom of the long beads.  The beads flow into a sterling silver cone and dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 3.375" L

Imagine wearing these on a breezy day and feeling the dangles sway against your skin.  dark sky blue, yellow, green, cobalt blue, and white beads made these earrings gorgeous!  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 4" L x .875" W - includes wires

These beautiful Zuni handmade post earrings were made by Derrick and Lorelia Chavez.  Four diamond shaped natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise stones are inlaid on the posts.  Dangling below the post are seven additional diamond shaped natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise stones.

Red, black, and shimmering white beads dangle to create these glamorous beaded earrings.  These were handmade by Mayan beadwork artisans in Guatemala.

Size: 5.25" L x 1.25" W

These Yummy Turquoise Earrings were made by Navajo jeweler Rita Largo.  For some reason they remind us of yummy candy!  Oval turquoise that are a bit darker than sky blue is set into a bezel surrounded by twisted wire and wider sterling silver.  The posts are repousse sterling silver stars.  Nice and light!

Size: 1" H x .5" W

If we live long enough and we are fortunate we understand that life is a spiral.  Intersecting paths that bring people and experiences around again with evolving understanding.  The owner of Gathering Tribes purchased these earrings in the late 1990s or early 2000s at the SWAIA Indian Market in Santa Fe.  She thinks they were made by a jeweler from Santo Domingo.  They are sterling silver with the background textured.

Size: 3" L x 2" W

We can easily imagine a woman of high standing wearing these earrings that feel quite royal.  Dark purple and shimmery blue and gold beads made these earrings gorgeous!  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 5.5" L x .875" W