Native American Turquoise Sterling Silver Bear Paw Necklace.

This is an extremely well made and traditional piece of Navajo Indian jewelry. This necklace features the Bear Paw symbol in the form of a Sterling Silver shadow box, each bear track is adorned with a Persian cut cabochon of genuine Turquoise. Traditional Southwest charm with the symbolic power of the Bear. The Bear Paw Shadow Boxes are suspended on a hand made Sterling Silver box link chain with a 1-1/8" center Bear Paw. The total adjustable length of this necklace is 19-3/4". The matching French hook earrings are 1-1/2" long. Today the use of Indian jewelry has spread far beyond its original boundaries and its appreciation has become world-wide.

There are many legends about Turquoise; The Pima consider it to bring good fortune and strength and that it helped overcome illness. The Zuni believe that blue turquoise was male and of the sky and green turquoise was female and of the earth. Pueblo Indians thought that its color was stolen from the sky. In Hopi legend the lizard who travels between the above and the below, excretes turquoise and that the stone can hold back floods. The Apache felt that turquoise on a gun or bow made it shoot straight. The Navajo consider it as good fortune to wear and believe it could appease the Wind Spirit.

Navajos comprise the largest tribe in the joined states, living on the largest reservation which is situated in northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona. A feeling of tribal strength is expressed in their own name, The Navajo Nation. Women take active part in many aspects of Navajo life today.

The Bear is a potent source of strength for many Native Americans. Admired for their strength, independence, and self reliance, Bear's spirits were often invoked before entering battle. Warriors sometimes painted their faces with marks resembling bear claw scratches and carried double-edged knives with handles carved from the jawbones of bears as good luck charms. It was believed that bear power could also cure illness. Shamans or medicine men from many different groups frequently dressed as bears when working to heal the sick. Just as honoring the bear spirit could bring blessings to people, provoking the spirit might bring them harm. For that reason, some tribes, most notably the Apache, forbade their hunters to kill a bear, or even to touch the carcass of one found dead in the woods.

We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it's important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.

CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC