Journal
Art is a fluid medium, changing and evolving over time from the inspiration of those engaged in it. Even a traditional art form such as Native American jewelry has felt the effects of evolution on its styles and materials. One artist who pushed the boundaries of tradition and brought evolution to the world of Native […]
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Did you know that the tarnish on your old vintage Native American jewelry is actually very valuable? Metal jewelry develops a sheen called patina as it ages. Patina is caused by the oxidation of the metal when exposed to the air. So before you go cleaning your vintage jewelry, know that this darkened discoloration is […]
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Collectors of vintage Native American jewelry are making more than a connection to the art of the past. They are capturing tangible evidence of the interconnectedness of culture. Each piece acquired is the result of historic communication, not only by the artist or community which nurtured them, but also by everyone they came in contact […]
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What is Hardness? Hardness is not only the condition of being a hard solid but in mineralogy it is a measurement of scratch resistance. In other words how resistant a solid’s surface to being scratched relative to another solid. A hard mineral can scratch the surface of a softer mineral. A soft mineral is unable to […]
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Handmade jewelry reflects much more than a work of art or a beautiful adornment. Often it is a family tradition as well, preserving the skills and knowledge handed down through generations of artisans to create new heirlooms for today. That tradition is a part of Darwyn Cowboy’s lineage. He is a fifth generation bead maker, the latest in his family to take up the craft of creating the...
