by Shaheen Darr

Created on: September 19, 2008   Last Updated: March 24, 2009

The most beautiful aspect of ethnic tribal jewellery is that it is handcrafted. When you buy a piece of African tribal jewellery or North American tribal jewellery, not only are you appreciating the hard work and effort that has gone in making this jewellery, but you are also making a difference to the economic conditions of the people of that region who are involved in this handicraft industry.

Beads, cowry shells, bones, wood, leather, horn and stones indigenous to the region are handcrafted to create colourful and unique items of jewellery. Historically African jewellery played an important part in tribal celebrations and women adorned themselves with bangles, necklaces, ankle bands and hair decorations as they danced at weddings or coming of age events. Modern women should feel proud wearing such creative and authentic items of jewellery as every piece has a tribal significance or historical symbolism attached to them making them special and meaningful.

Even though some pieces of jewellery have small, intricate beadwork, most African jewellery is chunky and large enough to make an impact. If you are wearing a simple outfit, just an addition of a large wooden bracelet or an authentic African necklace will complete the outfit and add style to it. Today's women are bold, outspoken, and not afraid to voice their opinions and African jewellery complements this aspect of their lives very effectively.

For the woman looking for additional Ethnic styles with a bit of class look no further than the North American tribal jewellery. Old techniques of using precious stones like silver, amber, copper and turquoise with shells and beads changed when the Spanish introduced silversmithing to the Native Americans. The traditional squash blossom necklace, once so popular was replaced by intricate silver handcrafted jewellery using metalwork, turquoise and glass beads. Any woman wearing a Navajo item of jewellery should remember that historically the jewellery had powers to protect the wearer and gave added powers and motivation. By incorporating birds, animals, and totem poles into the jewellery gives it unique and spiritual qualities.

The Zuni tribe from New Mexico also uses turquoise and silver in its tribal jewellery but the detailed stone inlay work is what sets the jewellery apart. The jewellery has clusters of stones or mosaics in it and this is the focal point of the jewellery with silver used as a base to build upon. Animal fetish jewellery is also very important in Zuni culture giving the wearer qualities of the animal that they choose to wear. Whether a Zuni animal fetish necklace interests you or a Navajo concho belt, you will certainly stand out as an independent, artistic and environmentally conscious woman of our modern times.

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