Buyer’s Guide To Native American Beaded Earrings

Many cultures across the world use beadwork in their clothing and art. These pieces are, therefore, steeped in rich history and tradition. Native American beaded earrings are no exception.

If you’re looking to purchase your own pair of beaded earrings, you’ll need to take several things into account. There are many beaded earrings on the market, which can make it difficult to know whether the ones you’re looking at are the real deal.

Join us as we explore the history and culture behind these stunning pieces and discover what to look for when shopping for authentic beaded earrings.

The Creative Tradition of Native American Beaded Jewelry

As mentioned above, Native American beaded jewelry represents a lifelong tradition. One that is skillfully passed down from one generation of men and women in a family to the next. Crafting such jewelry is time-consuming and requires patience, precision, and, occasionally, the aid of a magnifying glass to create the intricate designs these pieces are known for.

Due to the cultural importance and craftsmanship involved in making Native American beaded earrings and other jewelry, we encourage you to buy these works from indigenous artists only.

Things to Consider When Shopping For Beaded Earrings

1. Authenticity

The authenticity of the pair of beaded earrings you’ve got your eye on is an important factor to consider before placing your order. Many companies mass produce these items, undermining genuine cultural expressions for profit. Therefore, look for a business that employs indigenous beaders and whose policies emphasize the cultural and spiritual value of the beadwork.

While some beaders choose to sell their work, the style isn’t confined to jewelry. It’s also used for traditional attire. You’ll find beaded ceremonial dress in places like powwows, and you’ll be able to see the maker’s identity in the beadwork.

So, regardless of whether they’re created for commercial purposes or as personal gifts for family, friends, or oneself, beaded earrings hold significant cultural value. Therefore, buying beaded jewelry directly from indigenous or Native American artisans, rather than from mass-producing retailers, is vital for maintaining the authenticity and cultural integrity of these works.

2. Craftsmanship 

The quality of a beaded earring lies in both the crafting process and the materials used. Each individual bead is chosen with care, and every color represents something different.

Materials used for beaded jewelry

Millennia before Europeans arrived in North America, indigenous people were wearing, carving, and trading beads made from clay, wood, shell, bone, pearl, seeds, animal claws, porcupine quills, and more.

Although beads of all materials were valued and traded among the different nations, the introduction of glass beads through trade with Europeans had a significant impact on beadwork styles and designs. Glass beads replaced handcrafted beads of bone, shell, copper, and stone due to their vivid colors and consistent size. In addition to glass beads, Europeans also brought cast metal beads made from copper, silver, and brass.

Glass and metal beads are still two of the most popular materials for Native American beaded jewelry today. You can also find works incorporating freshwater pearls and beads made from semi-precious stones like turquoise, amethyst, and quartz.

How To Wear Beaded Earrings

Beaded earrings are an excellent way of sharing your love for Native American culture and supporting local artisans while looking stylish. These versatile accessories can be paired just as easily with jeans and a t-shirt as with a cocktail dress and heels.

One of the easiest ways to style beaded earrings is by matching the color of your earrings to one of the colors in your outfit. This allows you to make a statement while still appearing sophisticated and polished.

Another way to incorporate beaded earrings into your everyday attire is by choosing earrings in a complementary color to the rest of your outfit. This is a fantastic option if you’re wearing a single, solid color that you want to emphasize.

How To Care For Your Beaded Earrings

If you buy your earrings from a reputable business, they should be of a quality that’s made to last. However, there are also some simple steps you can follow to ensure that your earrings stand the test of time:

• Take your earrings off before you shower, bathe, or swim.
• Do not cut the thread.
• Store your earrings in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, when not in use.