Na Na Ping Jewelry: A Must Have Fashion Statement Accessory

Na Na Ping is a name that stands out when it comes to contemporary Native American Jewelry. In fact, he is recognized worldwide for the bold and elegant jewelry that he makes using modern and cutting-edge inlay techniques. Na Na Ping is also known as 'Michael Garcia,' and his creativity and expertise in making jewelry has earned him numerous awards. Some of his most popular creations are bracelets, pins, and pendants that are prized for their stones and their uniquely intricate designs. 

His skills were the result of hard work and inspiration. After graduating with a business degree at Arizona State University, he started making jewelry and honed his talent and skills over time. Na Na Ping initially experimented with inlay methods using semi-precious stones like sugilite, varascite, jade, and turquoise. He began to make a name for himself out of his unique ability to create mosaics of color out of complex cuts and placing them on heavy sterling silver shanks. This way, he is able to create distinctive pieces with a unique edge and character to each one of them.

Na Na Ping's method of creating mosaics make each piece look like the design is floating without the sterling silver underneath. This illusion gives his jewelry a special touch, especially on his pins and pendants. The rare gem grade Orville Jack turquoise and sugilite dragonfly design pin and the rare high grade Morenci turquoise and sugilite dragonfly design pin/pendant are perfect examples of that effect. 

Bracelets by Na Na Ping are made out of rare and precious stones that are not likely to be found anywhere else in the world. The Peacock, for instance, is a calcacitirite and varascite with traces of turquoise that is difficult to classify and mined only from north central Nevada. Na Na Ping took the one-of-a-kind gem from his own collection and crafted a stunning wide cuff bracelet, which features more than 1700 carats from a single nugget. He raised the stones in a wide channel to prevent the sterling silver below from showing.

Buy Exquisite Jewelry Online Designed by Andy Cadman

Coming from a family of artists, Andy Cadman began his career by making intricately stamped traditional Native American jewelry in his early 20s. He was initially known as the half-brother of Sunshine and Gary Reeves and the older brother of Darrel Cadman, but he began to make a name for himself by creating pieces that feature gem grade natural turquoise and sterling silver. His unique designs are considered world class with their fine and heavy stamp work. He produces jewelry in limited quantities, but you can also find his pieces at established and reputable stores that carry authentic Native American jewelry.

Pieces designed by Andy Cadman can be valuable additions to any collection mainly because of the materials he uses. Some of his prized pieces include earrings that feature precious stones like varascite. His rare gem grade New Lander spiderweb varascite dangle earrings make up a stunning pair, featuring gems that perfectly complement each other with their fine black webbing and stark white details. Andy hand-braided the wire and finished the droplets in a manner that emphasizes the stones.

Another remarkable Andy Cadman creation is a pair of natural rare New Lander Spiderweb varascite stone earrings. The stones come from Nevada, and they are eye-catching with their tan and olive hues complemented with a black and dark blue spiderweb matrix. Andy surrounded each stone with hand-braided wire and finished it with sterling silver round droplets at the bottom for a distinctive look. Andy Cadman carefully chooses the stones he works with, as seen in the rare light colored Easter blue turquoise bracelet. The three brightly colored stones are set with a lovely elegant and traditional design.

When buying Andy Cadman jewelry, always make sure that it comes with a certificate of authenticity that assures you the name of the artist and his tribal affiliation, along with the materials he used and the retail value of the piece.

The History of Navajo Jewelry and Its Significance

Some of the best pieces of Native American jewelry are made by Navajo artists, and many of these wearable artworks are sought-after by jewelry enthusiasts and collectors around the world. The Navajo started out as a nomadic society, and back then, their symbols of prestige and prominence were beaded necklaces, concho ornaments, and decorated bow guards. The Navajo wore jewelry acquired from trade and conquest, too, and the pieces were made of silver, copper, and brass. Certain pieces were worn to express a sense of pride and showcase beauty.

The Spanish introduced silversmithing to Native Americans in the Southwest, including the Navajo. Since then, tribes and pueblos have developed and perfected their own unique techniques and styles of jewelry making, which they passed down from generation to generation. These time-honored methods of making Navajo jewelry are considered art forms. Navajo artists use hand tools and traditional techniques to create designs that rely on skill, patience, and imagination rather than machinery. No piece is exactly like another.

Tufa casting and sand-casting are two of the prominent methods of jewelry making that are still used by contemporary Navajo artists. The techniques require the silversmith to carve a mold into which molten silver is poured Often the molds will be destroyed after a single use Tufa cast bracelets, pendants, rings, and other pieces of jewelry often feature intricate designs and details that took a great amount of skill and time to complete.

Navajo jewelry is distinctive for its use of turquoise. Sources for this wonderful stone include mines primarily found in Arizona and Nevada. The lovely blue stone is considered by the Navajo to be a gift from the heavens. Hence, some of the earliest forms of valuable Navajo pieces were carved turquoise beads. The stone was associated with happiness, good luck, and healing. Navajo jewelry can also include beautiful coral, lapis, and other materials.