The Native American jewels bear History in them

The Native Americans have taught us a lot about the art of jewelry. They still inspire many designers today. In the air of time, bracelets, necklaces, rings and other jewelry have kept their authenticity. With the will to respect the values carried by these precious ornaments, the Harpo collections perfectly combine the traditional and the contemporary.

The art of silversmithing

Jewelry is a precious ornament for the Natives. Native jewelry has both traditional and aesthetic value. Present in daily life as well as during ceremonies, jewelry is a precious piece that is passed down through the family and is a marker of wealth and aesthetics.

The Native American jewelry presented by Harpo comes directly from the Southwestern United States, a region in which several tribes excel in silversmithing: Thus, the Harpo collections present the skills of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo artists. Each of these artists carries the jewelry tradition of their tribe and produces pieces that have evolved over generations.

Thus, the Zuni are incredible makers of various inlays, the Navajo use techniques such as Repousse and Cast Work, the Hopi are masters of Overlay, the Pueblo handle with extreme precision the realization of Heishi beads.

In addition, many pieces of jewelry carry symbols, such as the Squash Blossom, this superb massive necklace worn during ceremonies, the Corn Necklace, this beautiful piece made of Heishi beads and whose central beads recall the shape of the corn kernel, an essential foodstuff for the Natives.

Photographs from the portfolios "The North American Indian" by Edward S. Curtis.

The subtle art of mixing tradition and modernity

How do Native American artists manage to combine tradition and modernity? Simply because their creations are timeless. Native American jewelry has been worn for generations and still has the same powerful charm.

The raw materials used are always sterling silver, turquoise and various stones and shells, which allow the artists to create high quality handcrafted pieces in various styles: this is why at Harpo you can find massive and imposing pieces, as well as fine and pure creations. 

How to choose your Native American jewels? 

Native Americans adorn their hands and wrists as well as their necks and ears, not to mention their hips. Nothing is left to chance, the materials and shapes of the ornaments are varied, which is a fact that is typical of this craft: Harpo jewelry fits everyone and everyone will find the piece that suits them.

You can for example:

- accessorize your outfit with a bracelet (silver cuff with or without stones, string of pearls, fine silver wire ...)

- opt for a thin necklace, or for a more voluminous shape that will dress up all your neckline

- the same goes for rings: between the simple ring and the ring that covers the whole finger, you will find your happiness

- never separate yourself from your belt buckle, which will dress up your everyday jeans as well as your tailored pants

- choose everyday earrings by opting for small studs, discreet silver feathers, or let yourself be tempted by timelessly elegant character pieces