by Barbara Guess

Created on: September 23, 2008   Last Updated: September 25, 2008

Our attention is being drawn towards the Earth and the problems of global warming and we are continually reminded of how wasteful we are with the bounteous gifts of nature. Where do we look for natural products to adorn our clothes, making a statement to the world that we personally care about the heritage we are leaving behind for our children? Buy hand made ethnic jewelry crafted from wood, bone, shells, grasses, stones, gold, silver and bronze that reflect our heritage and move away from the glitter and razzmatazz of bling'.

Take a look at ethnic tribal jewelry, with its' strong reflection of nature influencing the design, tempering symmetrical designs with resolved symmetry. It's time to make your own statement, tribal jewelry holds meanings that differ from tribe to tribe, leaving you freedom to adopt a meaning that's personal to you. Your chance to be original but in an understated subtle manner that involves texture and feel as well as colour to enhance and accentuate your style and personality.

American Indian jewelry uses eagles to represent a connection to the creator, but could be your totem for having the strength to soar over worldly problems, without losing sight of the beauty of the world around you. Take a glance at Zuni jewelry, with its' stained glass window effect of thick bands of black jet or silver outlining inlays of vibrant turquoise, coral, mother of pearl and pink shell. Perhaps you can be tempted with a pair of humming birds symbolising devotion, eternity and permanence, or the symbol for the sun, which gives life to all of us.

Then there is Navajo jewelry using silver bears as protectors; surely we could adopt these to show our desire to help endangered species and their habitat. Feathers are used as a symbol of prayer to keep the hunters arrow straight, how simple to adapt this to a career path or project.

African jewelry is even closer to the earth, made for adornment and ritual, but also to emphasize movement in dance. Enjoy the sound of a multitude of bangles or belt tassels as you walk or dance enjoying being alive. Be bold and adventurous wear jewelry that is unique from the crowd, give it a meaning that reflects tribal tradition but bring it up to date as a statement for our culture now, not just nostalgia for a past that can never return.

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