American Indian jewelry differs from that of the designs made in India. Turquoise is a significant stone in the crafting of this type of jewelry. Surprisingly it's not as readily available as one would think. Prehistoric Indians actually mined turquoise to turn it into jewelry which was primarily limited to drilled beads and other hanging ornament types.



Oyster shells were also another prominent use for jewelry. These acknowledgments lead us to understand that these skills developed at very primitive times and throughout the years have become more elegantly defined.

Navajo Indians introduced silver by making belts, bracelets, bow guards, tobacco flasks, and necklaces. Eventually these evolved into rings, earrings, pins, hair décor, and buckles often accompanied with turquoise.

Coral is another source appropriated in American Indian jewelry. It was created by colonies of the marine coral polyp. It's contracted from combinations of calcium carbonate and magnesium with the most appreciated forms came from the Mediterranean. Modernly, the highest quality red coral is found in the Sea of Japan. Jewelry of a deeper color would imply a more valued grade.

Perhaps sugilite is popular because of its varying ranges of color. In Japan it tends to dwell between a yellow and brown tone while in southern Africa it has a rich purple expression. It resembles the spiny oyster shell and can also be confused with charolite. The highest grades can costs more than eighty dollars a carat.

Charolite is a intensely popular purple stone. The range of color is massive and when prepared for the craft of jewelers it has a noticeable crystallized effect. Though it is inexpensive its gaining dominance and the deeper colors are priced at twenty dollars a carat.

Green stones are of course attractive additives to jewelry. Gaspeite is light, soft, and pleasant. Though it's found in Canada it's more populated in Australia. It's accompanied with matrix at times but really is displayed quite elegantly on its own. While American Indian Jewelry is not solely decorated with these unique gems they are attractively used in high esteem.