| What comes to mind when we think about Native | | | | 3. Lapis Lazuli |
| American, and specifically Southwest, jewelry? | | | | Deep blue, often with gold flecks, lapis is one of |
| Turquoise, of course, but Native American | | | | the few rocks that is used as a gem for jewelry. |
| jewelry, usually created in sterling silver, makes | | | | Many ancient cultures believed that lapis lazuli had |
| liberal use of many kinds of natural stones. We're | | | | magical powers. Today, you'll see brilliant blue lapis |
| going to look at 5 of the most popular. | | | | with Sterling Silver. Lapis is easily scratched, and |
| 1. Turquoise | | | | should be cleaned only with a soft, dry cloth. |
| Of the many gemstones used in Native American | | | | Denim Lapis is a lighter bluish-white form of lapis |
| jewelry, turquoise remains the favorite. The | | | | lazuli. Some Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan |
| gorgeous sky blue, robin's egg blue, light and dark | | | | 4. Onyx |
| turquoise and even green colors evoke the | | | | The typical onyx stone is black as night, and |
| Desert sky and come from deposits in Arizona, | | | | polished to a high shine. When mined, it may have |
| California, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. | | | | bands of white, black, brown or red. Treatments |
| Natural turquoise can be solid in color, or be | | | | of heat, sugar and/or acid can turn onyx a |
| combined with brown, gold, white, and other | | | | uniform black color. It's used mainly in settings, as |
| colored minerals. The bluer colors of turquoise | | | | it may chip or scratch easily, and not for carving |
| come from association with copper, and the | | | | or inlay work. |
| greener shades from iron. There is a vast variety | | | | 5. Malachite |
| of colors and mineral mixes, something for every | | | | Light to rich dark green, malachite sometimes had |
| taste. | | | | bands of darker and lighter shades of green. The |
| 2. Coral | | | | bands may form concentric rings. Polished, banded |
| Also called Red Coral or Red Branch Coral, the | | | | malachite is worn as jewelry and is carved into |
| intense red color complements turquoise and | | | | ornaments and figures. It's often found with blue |
| other colored stones. Made from collections of | | | | Azurite, and sometimes the two colors mix or |
| hundreds of tiny animals growing on the sea | | | | band together, forming "azure-malachite". African |
| bottom, red coral was originally found mainly in | | | | malachite is often used in Native American |
| the Mediterranean Sea. Pink coral comes from the | | | | jewelry. |
| Pacific Ocean. | | | | Whatever your preference, and there are many |
| How did coral make its way to the American | | | | other stones to choose from, the elegance of |
| Southwest and become an integral feature of | | | | design and the beauty of the stones in Native |
| Native American jewelry? We'll leave that | | | | American jewelry are to be cherished and |
| mystery for another time. | | | | admired. |