Authentic Native American Navajo Pearls Sterling Silver Beads

Excerpt from Paula's blog:

"Navajo Pearls –
Everything You Need to Know About Sterling Silver Native American Beads"

Authentic Native American sterling silver Navajo Pearl beads are getting more difficult to find as they are very labor intensive to make. There are many sterling silver bead necklaces available but if you want Native American handmade Navajo Pearls, it will help to know more about them before you buy.

How Navajo Pearls are Made

Handmade (hand made) beads are very labor intensive, being entirely hand crafted: cutting, stamping, dapping, drilling, soldering, filing, polishing, stringing is all done by hand. Because each bead is made individually, there might be slight variations from bead to bead.
Bench made Beads (Bench Beads) start with some machine cut pieces, which are then soldered. The seam is usually fairly prominent.

Graduated beads usually consist of 5 sizes of beads. There is often one large bead at the center and the others graduate smaller from the center toward the ends.

Most Navajo Pearls are strung on foxtail, which is a strong woven silver cord that can be sterling silver, nickel or other metals.

Weight of Sterling Silver Beads

The final weight of a necklace depends on the gauge, or thickness, of the sterling silver sheet that is used to make the beads. Weight affects drape - a heavier necklace often hangs with a smoother shape than a lighter one.

Choosing a Length of Navajo Pearls

A choker is a small necklace that fits comfortably around the neck and is perfect for peeking out from underneath an open collared shirt or displayed openly when wearing a tank top, a V-neck tee shirt or halter top. Most women wear a choker size 16-19”. Chokers are ideal for use with pendants. Navajo pearls in the 19-22 inch range are great for wearing over a collared shirt, a sweater or a turtleneck – the added length gives the space need for over-the-clothing use.Longer necklaces, those up to 28 inches in length can be used alone or in combination with fetish, heishi or squash blossom necklaces.

Read more about Navajo Pearls here.