What does Native American Jewelry stands for?

Animals, sun, moon and nature plays a big
role in Native American cultures. In Native American Indian jewelry and art you
will always see representations, symbols and totemic designs of animals and
nature. Each animal and nature has meaning and stories behind that goes back
centuries told from father to son. For example the bear is a symbol of power,
strength and healing. The Bear is held in high respect by all, as it is beloved
as an elder family member of the human race. When hunted and killed the body of
the bear was generally taken to the chief's dwelling and showered in eagle
down, which is a gracious symbol of welcoming friendship. There is no meaning
if you are not fully ‘into’ native culture. There is no real connection if you
don’t know what you are doing. If you want to know what the eagle represents?
In a word; God. But that is just one word. Here are a few more: The power, the
challenge, the knowledge, nature, culture, the connection, the bridge. The
eagle can represent many things, depending on the tribe. The circle can
represent life. The eagle is the master of the sky, carries prayers, and is
known for itch courage and wisdom.

Native American metalwork jewelry,
before colonization, the metalwork used in Native American jewelry
making was fairly simple. The craftsmen would mainly hammer metals such as
silver and copper to make jewelry pieces such as pendants, earrings, and even necklesses. They would then etch the design on the surface of the metal. It was
only during the 1800s that Native American tribes such as Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo learned the art of
silver smithing from the Spaniards. This led to a revolution in the Native
American jewelry design, especially in the Southwest regions of America. This
resulted in the creation of unique Native American jewelry pieces
including Squash Blossom necklace, the
turquoise inlay ring called Navajo, Hopi silver bracelets in overlay style.