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Types of Native American Jewelry

Overlay
   This style of jewelry is most often made by the Hopi, though many Navajo also use this technique. Often thought to be carved into the silver, this look is actually created by cutting a design out of one sheet of silver and soldering it to another.
    First, the design is drawn and then transferred to a sheet of silver. A hole is then drilled in the part to be cut out and a tiny saw blade is inserted. Next, the design is painstakingly sawed out. The lines must be steady, since no correction can be made later. After it is cut out, it is soldered to another piece of silver as a backing. Later the background or recessed part of the design is stamped with a straight line stamp and a rawhide hammer, making repeated little marks that follow the shape of the design. The piece is trimmed, hammered into shape and the stamped background is oxidized black. It is then polished, creating a silver and contrasting black design.

TIP: When purchasing, look for any wavering lines or lopsided designs, as well as poorly soldered seams.

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