Authentic Native American Jewelry
Jeff Nelson, Navajo - Sterling Silver Navajo Pearls
Handmade smooth Bead Necklace
HK Item #BD909

What is Foxtail?

Foxtail chain is a fine, strong chain made with two rows of oval links arranged at 45° to one another and connected by small flat links running down the chain’s centre. This creates a braided or woven effect with a directional grain and a fullness which gives the appearance of the hairs on a fox’s tail. Foxtail withstands the constant friction of beads moving around without fraying, breaking or stretching out of shape and is often used for stringing large or heavy beads that could cut or damage cord or string.

About Silver

100% solid silver won't tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry - it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish.

Read more about silver.

Excerpt from Paula's blog:

All About 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.