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Old Pawn Jewelry

Old Pawn Jewelry

We have a wonderful selection of Old Pawn Jewelry from the 1920's to present time, which was made by some of the best Navajo, Hopi and Zuni artists in the American Southwest. This Jewelry features some of the finest Royston, Carico Lake, Kingman, and Landers Turquoise ever put into jewelry. Each Old Pawn item has a detailed description and is handmade by a Navajo, Hopi, or Zuni Native American artist.  

On Native American Indian reservations, any Old Pawn Jewelry or Native American art that is 100 years old is considered to be very old, antique, vintage, or ancient. Strictly off of a Native American Indian Reservation, such as the Navajo Reservation, old pawn represents genuine authentic Indian jewelry, although it is the opinion of some pseudo-experts that old pawn was jewelry that was originally made for pawn. It, in fact, isn't necessarily a piece of jewelry that a Native American Indian had pawned, because he or she had financial woes, or needed money at that present time. For collectors of Native American antique vintage old pawn jewelry, the emotional attraction and value of old pawn Indian jewelry is that it was once owned, appreciated, worn, and used by actual Native American Indians. It is as an intimate relic of a people and a culture that is slowly disappearing into history.

Old Pawn Jewelry experts have researched Native American Indian Silversmiths and antique vintage old pawn jewelry and they are convinced that most of the old silversmiths produced a higher standard of their art for Native American Indians than they did for traders and other non-Native American Indians. When a Navajo man or woman wanted a piece of Old Pawn Jewelry, he or she went to a silversmith, usually a relative the piece was customized to order, scaled to the individual’s size, and built. More often than not, the buyer furnished the old jewelry, silver, turquoise, or anything else that was needed. Old Pawn Jewelry serves many different and distinct  purposes, which include a decoration, a display of wealth, and also, could be used as collateral against loans at a trading post. The pawn rack became an important and respectable part of the economic and social life of many Native Americans, such as the Navajo people.  Old Pawn Jewelry moved in and out of pawn shops at regular seasonal intervals, which were synchronized to the spring and fall lamb, wool, and the harvest activities. Much of the Indian jewelry was removed from pawn during the summer dances and ceremonies, and it was returned again during the winter months.

The discerning Native Americans knew beauty and skilled craftsmanship, therefore, they would not wear poorly constructed or inadequate Old Pawn Jewelry. The quality and color of the turquoise may not have been the best, however, the craftsmanship was expected to be of high quality. The Navajo people kept their silver bright, shining and untarnished by buffing, or brushing it with yucca suds and water. The amount of cash or credit advanced depended on the value of the amounts of silver and turquoise, as well as the owner’s credit rating with the post. Native Americans rarely pawned all of their silver with one particular trader. Established traders set their own time limits with the individual, regardless of the general law, which required traders to hold pawn for only thirty days. One licensed pawn rack in Gallup, New Mexico holds Old Pawn Jewelry in their vault for 90 days. If a loan contract is not paid or extended, it is displayed in a warning case for 30 days, before it is classified as old or dead pawn. Old pawn racks were rich sources of the jewelry created by the finest Navajo silversmiths of their day for the Native Americans. It was untouched by the influence of other people and cultures. If antique vintage old pawn jewelry could, it would be able to tell a story of happy times, times of sorrow and ceremonials, as it has traveled along the path of Native American life.

Native Americans have been handcrafting jewelry since they first drew inspiration from their natural surroundings and transformed shell and stone into wearable jewelry. Some of the oldest discovered pieces date from over 10,000 years ago. The skilled artisans at Alltribes continue the age-old tradition and create captivating works of art that will surpass your expectations!

Alltribes is one of the rare jewelry stores that has a workshop employing Native American artists creating extraordinary pieces of jewelry on site. While most of our silversmiths are Navajo, we employ artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some work from home, on the reservation, and some work here in our shop. Alltribes Native American Art and Jewelry blends ancient history, natural beauty, and unparalleled expertise flawlessly. We are conveniently located near Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, AZ in the historic town of Gilbert. Unfortunately, due to Covid and other factors, we are unable to take walk in customers at this time. We are more than happy to offer curbside pickup if you are in the area, give us a call.

Our Jewelry

The design and quality of our Silver and Turquoise jewelry are unmatched and stand far above the rest. Turquoise conveys a special meaning as it has for centuries and in populations across the globe. Turquoise signifies healing, spirit and good fortune. With masterful techniques, our artisans incorporate this semi-precious stone into beautiful and intricate designs, drawing customers from around the world.

You can own a piece of Native American artistry without spending a fortune. Alltribes provides deep discounts because we don't purchase our jewelry elsewhere. Our in-house artists and silversmiths create custom pieces without the extra expenses of middlemen, shipping and tariffs.

Our Local History

Gilbert, AZ provides the ideal location for crafting our Native American jewelry. The Navajo and Hopi Indian tribes have inhabited nearby lands for many thousands of years. Their eternal respect for natural beauty and their innate talent shines through in every handcrafted piece of jewelry.

Our dazzling, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from a nearby mine in Globe, AZ. This unique and exceedingly rare turquoise is renowned for its hardness, durability, and gorgeous color. Our artisans preserve the natural beauty of this precious stone, so you can admire its elegance for years to come. A hand buffed polish protects the stones and heightens its natural beauty.

Our Tradition

In addition to Native American jewelry, Alltribes upholds the ancient traditions of Native Americans by offering more than remarkable jewelry. We offer a wide variety of Native American Cultural Art including authentic Hopi Kachina dolls, pueblo pottery, Navajo Wool Rugs, hand-dyed leather belts, dreamcatchers, tomahawks and other Southwestern and Native American artifacts, to beautify your home and your life. It is our pleasure, to help spread knowledge about the Native American culture to the general public.

As part of our continuing effort to inform and inspire, we offer a vast array of in-depth knowledge for those who want to learn more about Native Americans and the Southwest. Our online knowledge center is free for all and includes some of the most interesting and complete information available online.

Alltribes has been serving our valued customers for over 50 years, so you can rest assured that when you have a question or concern, we'll be right here, ready to help. When you purchase something online today, you never know if the company will still be there, next week or next month.

Alltribes' reputation and longstanding experience ensure you get more than just jewelry – you get a wealth of seasoned knowledge and exceptional service…..that you can count on! We consider our customers to be part of our extended family and we're proud to say that our family now spans continents. We'd love to have you join us!

In addition to our local Native American products, we offer distinguished wares, sourced from Native American tribes across the U.S. Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and other Native American artists provide one-of-a-kind items that we proudly offer to you, at direct to you prices!

Alltribes is much more than just a manufacturer, store and knowledge center. We keep a jewelry workshop on site. If you want a custom design, our silversmiths will work with you to turn your dream into reality. Have an idea for something new? Talk with our artisans and discuss how to bring it to fruition. And should your beloved jewelry ever need to be repaired, we help with that, too.

Whether you're a Native American enthusiast, a collector, a designer or simply someone who loves beauty, Alltribes showcases a diverse collection of superior artifacts, sure to satisfy even the most selective customer.