Navajo Pearls: 

When the Europeans arrived, they brought a number of new elements with them including copper, silver, and glass. Navajo Pearls are made of sterling silver and every individual one is handmade from cutting all the way through to stringing. No two beads are alike and the time-intensive process is what makes Navajo Pearls so special and so expensive.

Making the beads is a time-consuming process. Each bead begins with silver that has to be melted, rolled and cut. Holes are punched, rounded, and then the beads are sanded and polished, all by hand. The heavy gauge silver used in these collectible beads gives these finished strands a nice weight and a substantial feeling. Machine-made beads will have a perfect uniformity that will help you distinguish between genuine handmade silver beads and fashion jewelry beads. Navajo pearls are traditionally handcrafted sterling silver beads made by Navajo (Diné) silversmiths. They are a type of jewelry, often seen on Squash Blossom necklaces, but can also be worn alone or in layered necklaces and bracelets. The beads are known for their unique, handcrafted quality and are a significant part of Navajo culture and artistry.